How to Say 'Excuse Me' in French: Get Attention Politely
Learn to use 'excusez-moi' and related phrases to get attention, pass by, or interrupt politely in French-speaking contexts.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In French, getting someone's attention politely is often done with 'excusez-moi' or 'excusez-moi de vous déranger'. Unlike apologies, which express remorse, these phrases are attention-getters. This lesson teaches you when and how to use them appropriately.
By the end, you can…
- use 'excusez-moi' to get attention in public.
- politely interrupt or pass by someone in French.
- distinguish between attention-getting and apologizing in French.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Excusez-moi
Excuse me
ehk-skew-zay-mwah
Use to get someone's attention politely, e.g., to ask a question or make a request.
Excusez-moi de vous déranger
Excuse me for disturbing you
ehk-skew-zay-mwah duh voo day-rahn-zhay
More formal; use when interrupting someone who is busy.
Pardon
Pardon / Excuse me
par-dohn
Use to pass by someone or to apologize briefly, e.g., in a crowd.
Excusez-moi, je peux passer ?
Excuse me, may I pass?
ehk-skew-zay-mwah, zhuh puh pah-say
Use when you need to get through a crowd.
Excusez-moi, est-ce que cette place est libre ?
Excuse me, is this seat taken?
ehk-skew-zay-mwah, es-kuh set plass ay lee-bruh
Use to ask if a seat is available, e.g., on public transport.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The phrase 'excusez-moi' is the formal or plural form of 'excuse me'. For informal situations, use 'excuse-moi'. Both are followed by a request or question. For example: 'Excusez-moi, où est la gare ?' (Excuse me, where is the train station?) or 'Excuse-moi, tu peux m'aider ?' (Excuse me, can you help me?). Note that 'excusez-moi' is used with 'vous' (formal or plural), while 'excuse-moi' is used with 'tu' (informal singular).
When to use it
Use 'excusez-moi' to get attention before asking a question, to interrupt politely, or to pass by someone. It is not an apology for a mistake; for that, use 'je suis désolé' or 'pardon'. For example, if you bump into someone, say 'Pardon' or 'Je suis désolé'. If you need to ask a question, start with 'Excusez-moi'. Note that 'pardon' can serve both as a brief apology and as a way to pass by, while 'excusez-moi' is primarily for getting attention.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Excusez-moi, est-ce que cette place est libre ?
Excuse me, is this seat taken?ehk-skew-zay-mwah, es-kuh set plass ay lee-bruhOui, elle est libre. Je vous en prie.
Yes, it's free. Go ahead.wee, el ay lee-bruh. zhuh voo zahn preeMerci. Excusez-moi de vous déranger, mais savez-vous à quelle heure part le train ?
Thank you. Excuse me for disturbing you, but do you know what time the train leaves?mair-see. ehk-skew-zay-mwah duh voo day-rahn-zhay, may sah-vay voo ah kel ur par luh tranLe train part à 14h30. Vous avez encore quelques minutes.
The train leaves at 2:30 PM. You still have a few minutes.luh tran par ah katorz ur trahnt. voo zah-vay ahn-kor kel-kuh mee-nootA little context goes a long way
In France, using 'excusez-moi' is standard in public. In Quebec, 'excusez-moi' is also common, but you might hear 'pardonnez-moi' in more formal settings. Always use 'vous' with strangers unless invited to use 'tu'. In Quebec, 'pardon' is also widely used to pass by or apologize briefly.
One thing to watch for
Using 'excusez-moi' to apologize for a mistake.
Try this instead: For apologies, use 'je suis désolé' or 'pardon'. For example, if you step on someone's foot, say 'Pardon' or 'Je suis désolé', not 'Excusez-moi'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely get a stranger's attention to ask for directions?
Show a sample answer
Excusez-moi, pouvez-vous m'aider ?
This uses 'excusez-moi' to get attention and then asks for help. 'Pardon' could also work, but 'excusez-moi' is more common for starting a conversation.
2What do you say to pass through a crowded area?
Show a sample answer
Pardon, je peux passer ?
'Pardon' is appropriate for passing by. You could also say 'Excusez-moi, je peux passer ?' Both are polite.
3How do you ask if a seat is taken?
Show a sample answer
Excusez-moi, est-ce que cette place est libre ?
This is the standard way. Alternatively, 'Excusez-moi, c'est libre ?' is shorter and also correct.
Use 'excusez-moi' to get attention or interrupt politely, and 'pardon' to pass by or apologize. Remember to use 'vous' with strangers.
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