What does 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) mean?
- 실례합니다sillyehamnida
Excuse me
Formal: strangers, work, customers
실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) means "excuse me" in Korean. It is a formal, polite phrase you say before interrupting someone, entering a room or doing something that might bother them. It sounds respectful and a little formal.
Where it comes from
실례 is a Sino-Korean word meaning "a breach of manners," and 합니다 is the formal form of 하다, "to do." So it literally says "I am being rude," as an apology in advance.
How to use 실례합니다
Say it when knocking on an office door, calling someone late at night, or starting to talk to a stranger. 실례지만 ("excuse me, but") is used before a question.
To get past people in a crowded bus or subway, Koreans usually say 잠시만요 or 잠깐만요 instead. To call a server, say 저기요 or 여기요.
After you have caused a bother, the past form 실례했습니다 means "sorry for the trouble."
Examples
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Knocking on a teacher's office door
Calling someone late in the evening
Stepping out of a meeting briefly
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 실례지만 | Excuse me, but | Used before asking a stranger something. |
| 실례했습니다 | Sorry for bothering you | Past form, said afterward. |
| 실례하겠습니다 | Excuse me (I'm about to) | Said before entering or leaving. |
| 잠시만요 | Excuse me (let me through) | For squeezing past people. |
Questions learners ask
How do I say excuse me to get past someone?
Say 잠시만요 or 잠깐만요. 실례합니다 also works but is more formal.
Is sillyehamnida the same as sorry?
Not quite. 실례합니다 is said before or while you bother someone. For a real apology, use 죄송합니다.