실례합니다 (Sillyehamnida) is the most polite and formal way to say “Excuse me” in Korean — used to get someone’s attention, to pass by, or to open a respectful request without being rude.
What It Really Means
At first glance, 실례합니다 (Sillyehamnida) looks like a simple “excuse me” — and it is. But there’s so much more going on under the surface. The word 실례 (sillyé / 失禮) actually means “a breach of etiquette” or “an act of impoliteness.” So when you say 실례합니다, you’re literally saying something close to “I am committing an act of rudeness” or “I am being impolite” — and by saying so, you’re being incredibly polite!
This is a beautifully Korean concept: you acknowledge that merely approaching someone or interrupting their moment is already a small social transgression, and you apologize for it preemptively. This deep awareness of social harmony and respect for others’ personal space is woven right into the language.
In practice, 실례합니다 is the phrase you reach for in formal or semi-formal situations — when talking to a stranger on the street, approaching a store clerk, getting someone’s attention at a business, or politely asking to pass someone in a narrow corridor. It has a distinctly grown-up, professional feel. Think of it as the Korean equivalent of “Pardon me, sir/ma’am” rather than just a casual “hey, excuse me.”
Compared to 잠깐만요 (jamkkanmanyo) — which means “just a moment” or “hold on” — 실례합니다 is more about requesting entry into someone’s attention space with full respect. And compared to 저기요 (jeogiyo) — a casual “hey there” used in restaurants or cafés — 실례합니다 carries a level of formality you’d use with strangers, seniors, or in professional environments.
Grammar Breakdown
How 실례합니다 is built:
실례sillyé Breach of etiquette / rudeness (noun)
+
하다hada “to do” (verb stem)
→
합니다hamnida Formal polite present tense ending
=
실례합니다Sillyehamnida “I commit a breach of etiquette” → “Excuse me”
📌 한자 (Hanja) origin: 실례 comes from the Chinese characters 失禮 — 失 (실, sil) meaning “to lose” or “to lack,” and 禮 (례/예, rye/ye) meaning “courtesy” or “rite/etiquette.” So 실례 = “a failure of courtesy.” The -합니다 (hamnida) ending is the formal polite present tense form of 하다 (to do), used in formal speech, news broadcasts, business settings, and when talking to people you’ve just met. It’s the highest standard conjugation in everyday spoken Korean.
All the Ways to Use It
1
🚶 To get someone’s attention
The classic use — you see a stranger and need to ask them something. Say this before your question to signal respect.
실례합니다, 이 근처에 지하철역이 있나요? Excuse me, is there a subway station nearby?
2
🚪 To pass by or squeeze through
When you need to get past someone in a crowded space — a hallway, elevator, or bus aisle. Say it as you gently pass.
실례합니다. (지나갈게요.) Excuse me. (I’ll pass through.)
3
📞 To open a phone call or formal inquiry
When calling a business, office, or institution, 실례합니다 is a natural opening before stating your reason for calling.
실례합니다, 예약 확인을 하고 싶은데요. Excuse me, I’d like to confirm a reservation.
4
🤝 To politely interrupt someone
When someone is busy or talking to someone else and you need to interject, this phrase softens the interruption significantly.
실례합니다, 잠깐 여쭤봐도 될까요? Excuse me, may I ask you something briefly?
5
🏢 In professional / business settings
In an office, hotel, hospital, or any formal environment, 실례합니다 sets a professional, respectful tone before any request.
실례합니다, 담당자를 만날 수 있을까요? Excuse me, would it be possible to meet with the person in charge?
6
🙇 To excuse a slight inconvenience
Similar to saying “I’m sorry to bother you” — when you know you’re asking something that requires someone’s time or effort.
실례합니다, 사진 한 장만 찍어 주실 수 있나요? Excuse me, could you take just one photo for me?
Pronunciation Guide
🔊
Syllable breakdown: 실·례·합·니·다 → Sil – lyé – ham – ni – da
Five clear syllables. The second syllable 례 sounds like “lyeh” (rhymes with “yeah” with an “l” in front). Don’t rush it — give each syllable its own moment.
⚠️
The tricky ㄹㄹ double liquid sound: 실례 runs together in natural speech, sounding like “sil-lyeh” — almost like the English word “syllabus” starts. Many learners mispronounce it as “shi-rye-ham-ni-da.” Focus on the smooth ㄹ (r/l) transition between 실 and 례.
🎵
합니다 (hamnida): The ㅂ in 합 doesn’t sound like a full “b” or “p” — it’s closer to a soft “m” before the ㄴ. So it flows as “ham-ni-da,” not “hab-ni-da.” This is called 자음동화 (consonant assimilation) in Korean phonology.
💡
Natural speech speed: In real Korean, this phrase comes out fairly smoothly — “Sil-lyeh-ham-ni-da” — without heavy pauses between syllables. Aim for a calm, steady delivery. It shouldn’t sound rushed or sloppy; the formality of the phrase calls for a measured, clear tone.
📢
Volume tip: Don’t mumble this phrase! Since you’re using it to get someone’s attention, speak clearly enough to actually be heard — but with a calm, polite tone, not loudly.
Excuse me, do you happen to know where City Hall Station is?
B
아, 네. 이 길을 쭉 가시면 오른쪽에 있어요.
A, ne. I gireul jjuk gasimyeon oreunjjoge isseoyo.
Ah, yes. If you go straight down this street, it’s on the right.
A
아, 감사합니다!
A, gamsahamnida!
Oh, thank you so much!
B
천만에요. 잘 찾아가세요!
Cheonmaneyo. Jal chajagaseyo!
Not at all. Find your way well!
Spelling & Confusion Traps
⚠️ Common Learner Mistakes
✗ Wrong
실레합니다 (Sillehamnida)
A very common spelling error — dropping the ㅖ (yeh) vowel. It’s 례 (rye) not 레 (re). Remember: 실례 = 失禮 = breach of etiquette. The 禮 character always carries the 예 sound: 례.
✓ Right
실례합니다 ✔
실·례 — two separate syllables: 실 (sil) + 례 (lyeh). The vowel ㅖ (yeh) makes the “yeh” sound. Don’t skip it!
✗ Confusion
Using 저기요 in a very formal situation
저기요 (Jeogiyo) literally means “hey, over there” — it’s totally fine in casual settings like restaurants and cafés. But in a bank, hospital, or formal meeting, reach for 실례합니다 instead. Using 저기요 with a boss or elder can feel slightly abrupt.
✗ Confusion
Using 미안합니다 when you mean “excuse me”
미안합니다 (mianhamnida) = “I’m sorry” — an apology for something you did. 실례합니다 = “excuse me” — polite attention-seeking, not an apology. Don’t swap them! If you bump into someone hard, 미안합니다. If you need to ask a stranger for directions, 실례합니다.
Conjugation & Related Forms
Since 실례하다 follows the regular 하다 (hada) verb pattern, it conjugates cleanly across all speech levels. Here’s the full practical breakdown you need:
Form
Korean
Romanization
When to Use
Formal Polite (합쇼체)
실례합니다
Sillyehamnida
Most Formal Business, strangers, elders
Polite (해요체)
실례해요
Sillyehaeyo
Polite Everyday polite with strangers
Casual / Plain (해체)
실례해
Sillyehae
Casual Close friends, rarely used
Noun Form
실례
Sillyé
Noun Used in “실례지만…” phrases
실례지만 (Phrase)
실례지만…
Sillyejiman…
Formal “Excuse me, but…” / “I’m sorry to ask, but…”
실례가 되다
실례가 돼요
Sillyega dwaeyo
Phrase “It would be rude/impolite”
실례를 무릅쓰고
실례를 무릅쓰고
Sillyereul mureupsseugo
Formal/Written “Despite the impoliteness, I dare to…”
💡 Pro tip on 실례지만 (Sillyejiman): This is incredibly useful in everyday Korean! 지만 attaches the meaning of “but” — so 실례지만 = “Excuse me, but…” or “I’m sorry to intrude, but…” It’s softer and more elaborate than just 실례합니다 on its own, and it perfectly sets up a question or request that follows.
외국어 학습(영어·러시아어·한국어)과 건강·심리학·공부법을 직접 공부하고 실험하며 기록합니다. 러시아어는 격변화·이동동사처럼 한국인이 특히 막히는 지점을 정리했고, 고전 100권 읽기 서평을 매일 한 편씩 연재하고 있습니다. 번역기를 돌린 글이 아니라, 배우고 겪은 것만 씁니다.
