You’re walking through a crowded Delhi bazaar. Someone is blocking your way, and you need to squeeze past. Or maybe you’re at a restaurant and want to call the waiter. The question in your mind is: “How to say excuse me in Hindi?”
We throw around Excuse Me quite a bit when talking in English, but here’s the problem: there’s no single phrase that can be used all the time to say Excuse Me in Hindi. Instead, you’ll need different words depending on the situation.
Let’s break down how to say Excuse Me.
The Polite Excuse Me in Hindi: Maaf Kijiye
The most direct translation is “maaf kijiye” (maa-f ki-ji-ye). Literally, it means please forgive me. You can see how to pronounce it here.
Example: You accidentally bump into someone at the metro.
You: “Maaf kijiye, galti ho gayi.”
The Everyday Attention-Grabber: Suniye
When you want to get someone’s attention, the word to use is “suniye” (soo-nee-yeh), which literally means listen.
Example: You want to call the waiter.
You: “Suniye, bill please.”
This is very common and sounds natural. Add a respectful “ji” to make it warmer: “Suniye ji.”
The Crowd-Navigation “Excuse Me”: Zara Hattiyega 🚶
Stuck in a crowded market or train? Instead of saying excuse me, you’d usually say “zara hattiyega”, meaning please move a little.
👉 Example: You’re trying to squeeze through a busy lane.
You: “Zara hattiyega, mujhe jaana hai.”
It’s polite and practical.
The modern-day Shortcut: Just Say “Excuse Me”
Yes, you can absolutely use the English phrase excuse me. In fact, in urban India, it’s extremely common.
👉 Example: Someone’s blocking your view at the cinema.
You: “Excuse me”
This Hinglish blend is perfectly normal and often easier for learners.
When Indians Don’t Say “Excuse Me” At All 🤷♀️
Here’s the cultural twist: in many cases, Indians skip excuse me altogether.
- In a crowded bus → people just nudge through without saying anything.
- At home → if you interrupt, you just start talking.
- With friends → instead of apologizing, you laugh it off.
Politeness is often shown through tone and body language rather than words.
Quick Reference: 10 Ways to Say Excuse Me in Hindi
- Maaf kijiye – Excuse me / Sorry (formal).
- Maaf karna – Excuse me (casual).
- Suniye – Excuse me / Listen (to call someone).
- Suniye ji – Polite way to get attention.
- Zara hattiyega – Excuse me, please move.
- Thoda side dijiye – Excuse me, please give space.
- Excuse me – The English version (widely used).
- Arre, zara rukiye – Hey, excuse me, wait a bit.
- Shama kijiye – Very formal (hardly used).
- Oye, suno – Informal, used among friends.
FAQs About Saying Excuse Me in Hindi
Q: What is the Hindi word for excuse me?
👉 The closest is maaf kijiye.
Q: How do I say excuse me to get attention?
👉 Use suniye. For example: “Suniye, rasta kidhar hai?”
Q: How do I say excuse me to pass through?
👉 Use zara hattiyega or thoda side dijiye.
Q: Do Indians actually say “excuse me”?
👉 Yes! Especially in cities, the English phrase is very common.
Q: Is it rude if I don’t say excuse me in Hindi?
👉 Not really. Politeness often comes from your tone and gestures more than exact words.
👉 Pro tip: sometimes, in India, people don’t bother with words at all — a smile, a nudge, or a respectful tone works just as well.
If you liked reading this, do check out our full how to say … in Hindi guide. Also, subscribe to learn more about new tips to learn Hindi.