Excuse me
ik-SKYOOZ-mee /ɪkˈskjuːz miː/
Neutral Polite
What it really means
The all-purpose polite opener: use it to get past someone, get a stranger's attention, or politely signal that someone is in your way. Said with a rising tone it can also mean "I heard that and I'm not happy" — context and tone tell you which. Tapping people or pushing past silently is what's considered rude.
Chinese explanation
万能的礼貌开场白：借过、引起陌生人注意、或委婉提示别人挡了路都用它。用升调说时也可能表示"我听到了，我不高兴"——具体含义看语境和语气。相比之下，拍人或一声不吭地挤过去才是失礼的。
Example conversation
A: Excuse me, is this seat taken?
B: No, go ahead.
A: Thanks very much.
A：打扰一下，这个座位有人吗？
B：没有，请坐。
A：非常感谢。
What you could say back
Related phrases
Go deeper
All Customs & Etiquette
Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake