Excuse Me in Chinese: Phrases, Context, and Examples

“Excuse me” can take many forms in Chinese, depending on whether you're apologizing, asking a question, or getting attention. In this guide, you'll learn common phrases like 对不起, 不好意思, 请问, and when to use each one naturally in different real-life situations.

I. What Does “Excuse Me in Chinese" Actually Mean?

At first glance, you might think “excuse me” has a simple translation in Chinese—but the truth is, no single phrase captures all of its meanings. In English, “excuse me” can be used in several quite different contexts, each with its own tone and purpose.

Because of this variety, Chinese doesn't offer a universal equivalent. Instead, native speakers choose specific expressions depending on context, tone, and level of formality. This is deeply rooted in cultural norms that value clear role-based communication and preserving “face” (面子).

As a result, learners must become familiar with several go-to phrases used in different situations:

• 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) – apology when you did something wrong
• 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) – light apology or to politely disturb someone
• 请问 (qǐng wèn) – polite way to preface a question
• 劳驾 (láo jià) – formal way to ask for help from a stranger

II. Common Ways to Say Excuse Me in Chinese

Below are four commonly used and widely understood ways to express “excuse me” in Mandarin, each with its own tone and context.

1. 对不起 (duì bu qǐ) – I’m sorry

对不起 is the most common way to express a serious or formal apology in Chinese. It’s usually used when you’ve made a mistake, hurt someone, or violated a social expectation—similar to how “I’m sorry” is used in English.

Pinyin and Tone Breakdown

• 对 (duì) – 4th tone: falling
• 不 (bù) – 4th tone, but changes to 2nd tone (bú) when followed by another 4th tone
• 起 (qǐ) – 3rd tone: dipping

Correct pronunciation: duì bù qǐ → duì bú qǐ (due to tone sandhi rule)

When to Use

• When you’ve physically bumped into someone
• When you made a mistake that caused inconvenience or harm
• In formal situations requiring sincere apology

Examples:

• 对不起，我来晚了。- “I’m sorry I’m late.”
• 对不起，是我的错。- “I’m sorry, it was my fault.”

2. 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) – “Excuse me / Sorry

不好意思 is one of the most frequently used expressions in spoken Chinese. It conveys a mild apology or hesitation — perfect for situations where you feel you're slightly disturbing or inconveniencing someone.

This phrase is far less formal than 对不起 and is ideal for light social gestures, such as squeezing through a crowd, borrowing something, asking for directions, or softly interrupting a conversation.

Pinyin and Tone Breakdown

• 不 (bù) – 4th tone (falling)
• 好 (hǎo) – 3rd tone (dipping)
• 意 (yì) – 4th tone
• 思 (si) – neutral tone

Pronunciation: bù hǎo yì si

When to Use

Use 不好意思 when you want to:

• Gently apologize without sounding too serious
• Politely disturb someone (e.g., ask a question, step in front of them)
• Lightly acknowledge your presence when others are speaking

Examples:

• 不好意思，打扰一下。 - “Excuse me, sorry to bother you.”
• 不好意思，可以问一下吗？ - “Excuse me, may I ask something?”
• 不好意思，借过一下。 - “Excuse me, may I get by?”

While it means “sorry,” it carries a softer, more polite tone than 对不起. It helps express humility and is often accompanied by a slight smile or a small gesture such as a nod, making interaction feel more natural and respectful.

3. 请问 (qǐng wèn) – May I ask…

请问 is a polite and respectful way to begin a question in Chinese. It’s often used when approaching someone—especially a stranger—to ask for information, such as directions or basic help. While it doesn’t literally mean “excuse me,” it plays the same role in conversation: getting someone's attention and creating a respectful tone.

Pinyin and Tone Breakdown

• 请 (qǐng) – 3rd tone (dipping)
• 问 (wèn) – 4th tone (falling)

Pronunciation: qǐng wèn

When to Use

Use 请问 as a polite opener when:

• You are about to ask someone you don’t know a question
• You want to show respect when speaking to elders, customer service staff, or in formal settings
• You want to add an extra level of courtesy before asking something

Examples:

• 请问，最近的地铁站在哪里？ - “Excuse me, where’s the nearest subway station?”
• 请问，这道题你会做吗？ - “Excuse me, do you know how to solve this question?”

请问 doesn’t stand alone like “excuse me” might in English. It should always be followed by a complete question. Without additional context, it may sound abrupt or confusing.

4. 劳驾 (láo jià) – Excuse me (formal request)

劳驾 is a formal and respectful way to say “excuse me” in Chinese, most commonly used when you're politely trying to ask someone to move, assist, or pay attention, especially in public spaces. It carries a tone of deference and courtesy, and although it’s somewhat traditional, it’s still used in modern Mandarin—particularly in northern China and formal situations.

Pinyin and Tone Breakdown

• 劳 (láo) – 2nd tone (rising)
• 驾 (jià) – 4th tone (falling)

Pronunciation: láo jià

When to Use

Use 劳驾 when you want to:

• Request help from someone you don’t know
• Ask someone to let you pass
• Politely stop someone to ask a favor or question in a more formal setting

Examples:

• 劳驾，能不能让我过去？ - “Excuse me, could I get by?”
• 劳驾，麻烦您帮我一下。 - “Excuse me, would you mind giving me a hand?”
• 劳驾，这个座位有人吗？ - “Excuse me, is this seat taken?”

Compared to 不好意思 or 请问, 劳驾 sounds slightly more formal or traditional, and younger generations may use it less frequently in casual conversations. However, knowing how and when to use 劳驾 shows cultural awareness and adds depth to your Mandarin communication.

III. How to Use Excuse Me in Chinese Conversation

Choosing the right way to say “excuse me” in Chinese isn't just about vocabulary — it's about understanding the situation you're in. Mandarin offers different expressions depending on whether you’re apologizing, trying to get attention, or asking someone for help. Here's how to use each phrase in real-life scenarios:

Asking for Directions Politely - When approaching a stranger to ask for directions or information, you want to sound respectful and not too abrupt.

• Use:
  • 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) – polite way to get attention
  • 请问 (qǐng wèn) – to lead into your question
• Example: 不好意思，请问，地铁站怎么走？ - “Excuse me, may I ask how to get to the subway?”
• Avoid using: 对不起 — it’s too strong for this context unless you're apologizing for interrupting.

Saying Sorry for Bumping Into Someone - If you accidentally bump into someone in a public place or step on their foot, a direct and sincere apology is appropriate.

• Use: 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) – formal apology
• Example: 对不起，我不是故意的。 - “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
• You can also follow up with 不好意思 as a softer add-on in a lighter situation.

Interrupting a Group or Getting Someone’s Attention - In situations where you need to gently step into someone’s conversation, or stop someone to ask a quick question:

• Use:
  • 不好意思 – to politely get attention
  • 劳驾 – slightly more formal, respectful way to ask for something
• Example: 劳驾，请问这个地方怎么走？- “Excuse me, may I ask how to get to this place?”
• Tip: Pairing words with body language—like a smile or small gesture—can also soften the interaction.

By matching the phrase to the situation, you'll sound more natural and polite—and avoid awkward moments caused by using overly strong or overly casual expressions.

IV. Other Polite Phrases Related to Excuse Me in Chinese

Learning how to say “excuse me” in Chinese is just one part of becoming a polite and confident speaker. To sound more natural and culturally appropriate, it's helpful to know other common courtesy expressions used in everyday conversations.

Here are a few essential phrases that often appear alongside “excuse me” in real-life communication:

As you’ve seen, saying “excuse me” in Chinese isn’t a one-size-fits-all phrase. Depending on the situation—whether you're apologizing, asking a question, or trying to get someone’s attention—Mandarin offers different expressions like 对不起, 不好意思, 请问, and 劳驾, each carrying its own tone, formality, and purpose.

By learning how to choose the right phrase for the right moment, you'll sound more polite, thoughtful, and culturally aware when speaking Chinese. Want to explore more real-life phrases and practical speaking tips? Stay tuned for upcoming lessons from PREP and take your Mandarin skills one step closer to confident, natural communication.