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Short answer

“excuse me” in French is Excusez-moi

How to say excuse me in French?

How to say excuse me in French? The standard way is Excusez-moi, pronounced ex-kyoo-zay mwa. You use it when asking directions, going past someone, or apologizing for small bumps. The alternative Excuse-moi is fine with people you say tu to, and Pardon is a short, all-purpose way to get someone's attention. Pick the form based on how formal the situation is.

expressionExcuse-moi / Pardon Updated November 6, 2026

Common pairings

Excusez-moi de vous dérangerPardon, monsieur / madameExcuse-moi d'être en retardExcusez-moi, pouvez-vous répéter ?

How to use it

  • Use 'Excusez-moi' with strangers and in professional settings because it uses the 'vous' form. Once you are on 'tu' terms with someone, use 'Excuse-moi' instead.
  • 'Pardon' is shorter and works for small accidental bumps, moving through a crowd, or asking someone to repeat. 'Excusez-moi' is a little more formal and can sound closer to 'may I...'.

Examples

Excusez-moi, où sont les toilettes ?
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Polite, all-purpose form. 'Excusez-moi' uses the 'vous' form, so it's safe with strangers, shop staff, and in formal situations. Pronounced ex-kyoo-zay mwa.
Excuse-moi, je ne t'avais pas vu.
Sorry, I didn't see you.
With friends or family, switch to 'Excuse-moi' (the 'tu' form) and use 't' if you're on familiar terms. It's less formal and more natural among people you know.
Pardon, je peux passer ?
Excuse me, can I get through?
'Pardon' is short and works when squeezing past someone in a crowd or after a quick mistake. Say it with a rising tone to make it a question.

Common mistakes

WrongCorrectWhy
Pouvez-vous m'excusez ? Pouvez-vous m'excuser ? After 'pouvez-vous', the verb must be in the infinitive: 'excuser', not the imperative 'excusez'.
UnnaturalNaturalWhy
Excuse-moi, monsieur, quelle heure est-il ? Excusez-moi, monsieur, quelle heure est-il ? Using 'monsieur' shows you do not know the person, so the polite 'vous' form 'Excusez-moi' is expected. 'Excuse-moi' is too familiar here.

FAQ

  1. How to say excuse me in French
    The standard, polite phrase is Excusez-moi (ex-kyoo-zay mwa). Use it with strangers, in shops, or when you need to get someone's attention. For friends and family, use the informal form Excuse-moi instead.
  2. What is the difference between 'Excusez-moi' and 'Pardon' ?
    Excusez-moi is the all-purpose polite phrase for asking a question or apologizing. Pardon is more spontaneous and lighter, like 'sorry' when you bump someone or when you want to slip past. In crowded places, Pardon is often the most natural choice.
  3. Can I use 'Je suis désolé' to mean 'excuse me'?
    No. 'Je suis désolé' means 'I'm sorry' and is for real apologies. Use Excusez-moi or Pardon to get someone's attention and to pass through a crowd.