How to Say "Excuse Me" in Mandarin Chinese: Get Attention, Pass By, or Interrupt Politely
Learn the Mandarin phrases for politely getting attention, passing someone, or interrupting in public, and see why they are not the same as apologies.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Mandarin Chinese, "excuse me" is not one single phrase. Which expression you choose depends on what you are doing: getting someone's attention, asking someone to move, or interrupting a conversation. These phrases are attention-getters, not apologies. If you bump into someone, you apologize with 对不起 (duìbuqǐ), but if you simply need to speak to a stranger, you usually start with 请问 (qǐngwèn) or 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi). This lesson teaches five practical expressions for public situations, with pinyin and tone marks, so you can choose the right one with confidence.
By the end, you can…
- get a stranger's attention politely with 请问 and 不好意思.
- ask someone to move or let me pass with 麻烦 and 借过.
- interrupt a conversation politely and then ask a simple question.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
请问
Excuse me (may I ask)
qǐngwèn
The standard polite opener before asking a stranger for information, such as directions or a price. It literally means "please ask" and is never used to apologize.
不好意思
Excuse me; sorry to bother you
bù hǎoyìsi
A soft, versatile attention-getter for stopping someone briefly, interrupting, or gently apologizing for a small inconvenience. Softer and more casual than 对不起 (duìbuqǐ).
麻烦你
Excuse me; could I trouble you
máfan nǐ
Used when you need someone to do something small for you, such as moving aside or passing something. It acknowledges that you are causing trouble.
借过
Excuse me, let me pass
jièguò
Said while moving through a crowd, on a bus, or in a narrow aisle. It is short and practical, and it asks people to make way.
打扰一下
Excuse me for interrupting
dǎrǎo yíxià
Used when you interrupt someone who is busy or already talking. It is more formal than 不好意思 and works well in offices and meetings.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Many of these phrases can be followed directly by your question. The pattern is: attention-getter + question. For example, 请问，这个座位有人吗？(Qǐngwèn, zhège zuòwèi yǒu rén ma?) means "Excuse me, is this seat taken?" You can also say 不好意思，这个座位有人吗？(Bù hǎoyìsi, zhège zuòwèi yǒu rén ma?) with the same meaning. When you need someone to move, use 麻烦你 plus a request: 麻烦你让一下 (Máfan nǐ ràng yíxià), "Excuse me, please move a little." Notice that no verb changes are needed; the phrase simply comes first.
When to use it
Choose 请问 (qǐngwèn) when you are asking for information, especially from someone you do not know. Choose 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) for a quick, gentle interruption or a small apology, such as squeezing past someone. Choose 麻烦你 (máfan nǐ) when you are asking for a small favor. Choose 借过 (jièguò) only when you are physically moving through people. Choose 打扰一下 (dǎrǎo yíxià) for a more formal interruption. If you actually bump into someone or make a real mistake, switch to 对不起 (duìbuqǐ), which is a true apology.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
请问，这个座位有人吗？
Excuse me, is this seat taken?Qǐngwèn, zhège zuòwèi yǒu rén ma?没有，请坐。
No, please sit.Méiyǒu, qǐng zuò.不好意思，打扰一下，请问洗手间在哪儿？
Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, where is the restroom?Bù hǎoyìsi, dǎrǎo yíxià, qǐngwèn xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr?在前面，往左拐。
It's ahead, turn left.Zài qiánmiàn, wǎng zuǒ guǎi.A little context goes a long way
In mainland China, 请问 (qǐngwèn) is the safest opener with strangers, while 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) is common in everyday casual settings. In Taiwan, 不好意思 is used even more widely and can serve as a mild apology. 借过 (jièguò) is standard on public transport. Tone and a slight smile matter: saying these phrases flatly can sound abrupt, so keep your voice soft and friendly.
One thing to watch for
Using 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) to get someone's attention, as if it meant "excuse me."
Try this instead: 对不起 is a real apology for a mistake or harm. To get attention, use 请问 (qǐngwèn) or 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi). For example, say 请问，现在几点？(Qǐngwèn, xiànzài jǐ diǎn?), "Excuse me, what time is it?" Do not say 对不起，现在几点？ unless you have actually done something wrong.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You want to ask a stranger whether the seat next to them is free. Which phrase do you start with?
Show a sample answer
请问，这个座位有人吗？(Qǐngwèn, zhège zuòwèi yǒu rén ma?)
请问 is the standard polite opener for asking a stranger for information. 不好意思 (Bù hǎoyìsi) would also work here, but 请问 is the clearest choice for a question.
2You are moving through a crowded bus and need people to make way. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
借过，借过。(Jièguò, jièguò.)
借过 is the short, practical phrase for physically passing through a crowd. 麻烦你让一下 (Máfan nǐ ràng yíxià) is also acceptable, but it is longer and more of a request.
3A colleague is talking with someone, and you need to ask a quick question. Which phrase fits best?
Show a sample answer
打扰一下，请问……(Dǎrǎo yíxià, qǐngwèn...)
打扰一下 is the polite, slightly formal way to interrupt. 不好意思 (Bù hǎoyìsi) is also fine in a casual workplace, but 打扰一下 sounds more respectful when someone is already speaking.
Remember the split: 请问 and 不好意思 get attention; 对不起 apologizes. Pick 借过 to pass, 麻烦你 to ask a small favor, and 打扰一下 to interrupt politely.
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