Phrase in 30 Seconds
A essential polite phrase used to signal you are about to leave a social or professional gathering.
- Means: 'I should be heading out now' or 'Excuse me, it's about time I left.'
- Used in: Office departures, ending a dinner party, or leaving a teacher's office.
- Don't confuse: Use it *before* you stand up to leave, not after you're gone.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
A polite way to announce one's departure from a gathering or someone's presence.
Contexte culturel
The 'Soft Exit': In Japan, leaving is a process. You often say 'Soro soro...' while still seated, then wait for a response, then stand up. This prevents the 'hit-and-run' feeling of an abrupt exit. The 'Hikitome' Ritual: When you say you are leaving, the host might say 'Wait, just a bit more!' This is often a polite formality. If they say it twice or thrice, they might mean it, but usually, you should still proceed to leave. Business Etiquette: When leaving a meeting room, you say 'Shitsurei shimasu' and bow at the door before closing it. This phrase is the verbal component of that physical ritual. The 'O-saki ni' Culture: Leaving work exactly on time can be stressful in Japan. Using 'O-saki ni shitsurei shimasu' acknowledges that you are leaving while others are still 'suffering' or working hard.
The 'Soro Soro' Trail-off
If you are unsure of the formality, just saying 'Soro soro...' and slightly bowing while looking for your bag is a very natural way to signal departure without committing to a full sentence.
Don't forget the bow!
This phrase is almost always accompanied by a small seated or standing bow. Saying it while looking at your phone or walking away is considered rude.
The 'Soro Soro' Trail-off
If you are unsure of the formality, just saying 'Soro soro...' and slightly bowing while looking for your bag is a very natural way to signal departure without committing to a full sentence.
Don't forget the bow!
This phrase is almost always accompanied by a small seated or standing bow. Saying it while looking at your phone or walking away is considered rude.
Wait for the 'O-tsukare-sama'
In an office, after you say 'O-saki ni shitsurei shimasu,' wait a second for your colleagues to reply 'O-tsukare-sama' before you actually walk out.
Teste-toi
You are at your boss's house for dinner. It is 10 PM. What do you say to start leaving?
Which phrase is most appropriate?
'Soro soro shitsurei shimasu' is the standard polite way to announce departure in a formal social setting.
Complete the sentence with the correct words.
（ ）（ ）失礼します。
'Soro soro' is the specific adverb used in this set phrase to mean 'it's about time.'
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Leaving the office while others are still working.
'O-saki ni' (ahead of you) is the specific variation for leaving work before colleagues.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
田中：もう遅いですね。 あなた：はい、（ ）。
When someone mentions it is late, it is a cue to use the departure phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Departure Variations
Formal
- • そろそろ失礼いたします
- • お先に失礼します
Casual
- • そろそろ帰るね
- • じゃあ、またね
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesWhich phrase is most appropriate?
'Soro soro shitsurei shimasu' is the standard polite way to announce departure in a formal social setting.
（ ）（ ）失礼します。
'Soro soro' is the specific adverb used in this set phrase to mean 'it's about time.'
Situation: Leaving the office while others are still working.
'O-saki ni' (ahead of you) is the specific variation for leaving work before colleagues.
田中：もう遅いですね。 あなた：はい、（ ）。
When someone mentions it is late, it is a cue to use the departure phrase.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is the perfect phrase to use when leaving a teacher's office or ending a private lesson.
No, it's not common. Just say 'Gochisousama deshita' (Thank you for the meal) or 'Arigatou gozaimasu.'
'Itashimasu' is the humble version. Use it with clients or very high-ranking people. 'Shimasu' is fine for daily office use.
Yes, but 'Soro soro' makes it sound softer and less abrupt. Without it, it sounds like 'I am leaving now' rather than 'I should be going soon.'
Add 'O-saki ni' (ahead of others): 'O-saki ni shitsurei shimasu.'
No, it's a standard adverb, but it's very common in spoken Japanese.
Never say you're bored! Use 'Soro soro shitsurei shimasu' and blame the time or a vague 'next appointment.'
Yes, it's the most common way to say 'I'm leaving the call now.'
Not usually. In an email, you would use 'Hikitsuzuki yoroshiku onegaishimasu' or similar closing remarks.
In this context, it's more like 'Excuse me' than a deep apology for a mistake.
Expressions liées
お{先|さき}に{失礼|しつれい}します
specialized formExcuse me for leaving before you.
お{邪魔|じゃま}しました
similarI have been a nuisance (I've intruded).
お{暇|いとま}します
specialized formI will take my leave.
{失礼|しつれい}しました
builds onI was rude / Excuse me (past tense).
Où l'utiliser
Leaving the Office
You: お{先|さき}に{失礼|しつれい}します。
Boss: お{疲|つか}れ{様|さま}でした。
Ending a Dinner Party
You: もう{十時|じゅうじ}ですね。そろそろ{失礼|しつれい}します。
Host: あ、もうそんな{時間|じかん}ですか。また{来|く}てくださいね。
Leaving a Teacher's Office
You: アドバイスありがとうございました。そろそろ{失礼|しつれい}します。
Teacher: はい、がんばってくださいね。
Ending a Zoom Call
You: それでは、そろそろ{失礼|しつれい}します。
Client: はい、またメールします。{失礼|しつれい}します。
Leaving a Doctor's Appointment
You: わかりました。では、そろそろ{失礼|しつれい}します。
Doctor: お{大事|だいじ}に。
Leaving a First Date
You: 今日は楽しかったです。そろそろ失礼します。
Date: 私もです。駅まで送りましょうか？
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Soro Soro' as 'Slowly, slowly' moving toward the door, and 'Shitsurei' as 'Excuse my rudeness' for leaving.
Association visuelle
Imagine a person at a dinner party gently placing their hands on their knees and slightly bowing while looking at the clock. This physical 'reset' is the visual cue for the phrase.
Rhyme
Soro soro, out the door-o!
Story
You are at a ninja's house. You've been drinking tea for hours. You need to leave before the sun sets. You whisper 'Soro soro...' (slowly, slowly) as you stand up, and 'Shitsurei shimasu' to apologize for breaking the peace of the tea room.
In Other Languages
In English, we say 'I should probably get going' or 'I'd better head out.' In Spanish, 'Ya va siendo hora' (It's about that time). All these phrases use 'time' as an external excuse to soften the departure.
Word Web
Défi
Next time you finish a Japanese lesson or a language exchange, use 'Soro soro shitsurei shimasu' instead of just 'Bye-bye' or 'Sayonara.'
Review this phrase 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week after your first encounter. Practice the bowing motion while saying it to lock in the muscle memory.
Prononciation
Four short, even syllables. No stress on any particular syllable.
The 'u' in 'shitsu' is often devoiced (silent), sounding like 'shits-ray'.
The final 'u' is often devoiced, sounding like 'shimas'.
Spectre de formalité
そろそろ{失礼|しつれい}いたします。 (General departure)
そろそろ{失礼|しつれい}します。 (General departure)
そろそろ{帰|かえ}るね。 (General departure)
そろそろ{行|い}くわ。 (General departure)
The phrase evolved from the Edo period's strict social hierarchies. 'Shitsurei' (失礼) was a serious matter—to lose one's manners could result in social ostracization. Over time, it became a 'buffer' word used to apologize for any minor social friction, including the friction of ending a conversation.
Le savais-tu ?
The word 'Shitsurei' is also the standard way to say 'Excuse me' if you sneeze in Japan!
Notes culturelles
The 'Soft Exit': In Japan, leaving is a process. You often say 'Soro soro...' while still seated, then wait for a response, then stand up. This prevents the 'hit-and-run' feeling of an abrupt exit.
“Saying 'Soro soro...' and waiting 5 seconds before actually moving.”
The 'Hikitome' Ritual: When you say you are leaving, the host might say 'Wait, just a bit more!' This is often a polite formality. If they say it twice or thrice, they might mean it, but usually, you should still proceed to leave.
“Host: 'Mada ii ja nai desu ka?' (Isn't it still okay to stay?)”
Business Etiquette: When leaving a meeting room, you say 'Shitsurei shimasu' and bow at the door before closing it. This phrase is the verbal component of that physical ritual.
“Bowing at a 15-degree angle while saying the phrase at the door.”
The 'O-saki ni' Culture: Leaving work exactly on time can be stressful in Japan. Using 'O-saki ni shitsurei shimasu' acknowledges that you are leaving while others are still 'suffering' or working hard.
“Using a slightly apologetic tone when leaving the office at 6 PM.”
Amorces de conversation
You are at a party and see the time is 11 PM. How do you tell the host?
You finished your meeting with a Japanese client on Zoom. How do you end the call?
You are leaving the office at 5 PM, but your team is still working. What do you say?
Erreurs courantes
そろそろ帰ります (to a boss)
そろそろ失礼します / お先に失礼します
L1 Interference
さようなら (in an office)
お先に失礼します
L1 Interference
そろそろ失礼します (to a best friend)
そろそろ帰るね / そろそろ行くわ
L1 Interference
そろそろ失礼しました
そろそろ失礼します
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Ya va siendo hora de que me marche.
Spanish is more likely to include a specific reason (e.g., 'tengo que trabajar') immediately after.
Je vais vous laisser.
French focuses on the person being left, while Japanese focuses on the speaker's 'rudeness'.
Ich mache mich dann mal so langsam auf den Weg.
German is more descriptive of the physical act of starting the journey.
时间不早了，我该走了。
Chinese is slightly more direct about the 'should' (该) than the Japanese 'discourtesy'.
슬슬 가보겠습니다.
Almost none; the pragmatic usage is nearly a 1:1 match.
يجب أن أستأذن الآن
Arabic explicitly uses the word for 'permission' (ista'dhan).
Está na minha hora.
Portuguese is more individualistic ('my hour').
I'd better be heading off.
English is less formal and doesn't carry the 'discourtesy' weight of 'shitsurei'.
Spotted in the Real World
“それじゃ、そろそろ失礼します。”
Customers at the diner often use this when finishing their late-night meal and heading home.
“そろそろ失礼します。今日はありがとうございました。”
Used when leaving a relative's house after a visit.
“では、そろそろ失礼します。お疲れ様でした。”
Majime says this when leaving the dictionary editorial department.
“そろそろ失礼するわ。”
Used when a housemate leaves a group conversation in the living room to go to bed.
Facile à confondre
Learners think it's the standard 'Goodbye' for all situations.
'Sayonara' is for long-term departures or school settings. 'Soro soro shitsurei shimasu' is for daily social/work departures.
Both can mean 'Excuse me.'
'Sumimasen' is to get attention or apologize for a mistake. 'Shitsurei shimasu' is specifically for entering/leaving spaces or ending interactions.
Questions fréquentes (10)
Yes, it is the perfect phrase to use when leaving a teacher's office or ending a private lesson.
usage contextsNo, it's not common. Just say 'Gochisousama deshita' (Thank you for the meal) or 'Arigatou gozaimasu.'
usage contexts'Itashimasu' is the humble version. Use it with clients or very high-ranking people. 'Shimasu' is fine for daily office use.
grammar mechanicsYes, but 'Soro soro' makes it sound softer and less abrupt. Without it, it sounds like 'I am leaving now' rather than 'I should be going soon.'
practical tipsAdd 'O-saki ni' (ahead of others): 'O-saki ni shitsurei shimasu.'
practical tipsNo, it's a standard adverb, but it's very common in spoken Japanese.
basic understandingNever say you're bored! Use 'Soro soro shitsurei shimasu' and blame the time or a vague 'next appointment.'
cultural usageYes, it's the most common way to say 'I'm leaving the call now.'
usage contextsNot usually. In an email, you would use 'Hikitsuzuki yoroshiku onegaishimasu' or similar closing remarks.
usage contextsIn this context, it's more like 'Excuse me' than a deep apology for a mistake.
basic understanding
