Japanese - Visiting

Lesson 142 of 168

A friendly scene at a Japanese home entrance with a guest saying a polite visiting phrase in Japanese; topic: visiting and polite phrases.

Goal: Polite phrases for entering and leaving a Japanese home

Free Japanese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Ready to practice two very useful Japanese visiting phrases? This short lesson focuses on what to say when you step into someone's home and when you leave. Have fun listening and repeating!

Level A1: In this lesson you'll learn and practice two polite phrases used when visiting in Japan: お邪魔します (Ojama shimasu) when you enter, and お邪魔しました (Ojama shimashita) when you leave. We'll listen, repeat, and use these phrases in a short conversation — CEFR-aligned and ready for real visits.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and say お邪魔します (Ojama shimasu) when entering someone’s home.
  • Recognize and say お邪魔しました (Ojama shimashita) when leaving someone’s home.
  • Use both phrases in a short, polite mini-conversation (Level A1 practical skill).
A visitor steps into a genkan (entryway) in Japan and says お邪魔します to the host; bright, warm home interior.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

お邪魔します

Ojama shimasu.

Excuse me for coming in.

Meaning: Excuse me for coming in.

When to use: Say this politely when you enter someone's home, apartment, or sometimes when stepping into a private space.

Tip: Don't treat this as an apology. It's a polite entry phrase, different from すみません (sumimasen).

玄関で「お邪魔します」と言って家に入りました。

Genkan de 'Ojama shimasu' to itte ie ni hairimashita.

At the entrance she said 'Ojama shimasu' and entered the house.
友だちの家に行って、まず「お邪魔します」と言います。

Tomodachi no ie ni itte, mazu 'Ojama shimasu' to iimasu.

When visiting a friend's house, you first say 'Ojama shimasu.'

お邪魔しました。

Ojama shimashita.

Thank you for having me.

Meaning: Thank you for having me.

When to use: Say this politely when you leave someone's home or when you finish visiting their private space.

Tip: Beginners sometimes use the present form お邪魔します when leaving; use the past form お邪魔しました to show you are departing.

お茶をいただいて、帰るときに「お邪魔しました」と言いました。

Ocha o itadaite, kaeru toki ni 'Ojama shimashita' to iimashita.

After having tea, she said 'Ojama shimashita' when leaving.
楽しかったです。お邪魔しました。

Tanoshikatta desu. Ojama shimashita.

It was fun. Thank you for having me (Ojama shimashita).

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna visits David's apartment for tea.

Two people talking in a Japanese living room as the guest prepares to leave and says お邪魔しました; gentle evening light.

Who is visiting whose home?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

こんにちは。お邪魔します。

Konnichiwa. Ojama shimasu.

Hello. Excuse me for coming in.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

あ、アンナ、いらっしゃい。どうぞ。

A, Anna, irasshai. Dōzo.

Ah, Anna, welcome. Please come in.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

今日はありがとうございます。お茶をいただきます。

Kyō wa arigatō gozaimasu. Ocha o itadakimasu.

Thank you for today. I'll have some tea.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

ゆっくりしてね。

Yukkuri shite ne.

Take your time / relax.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

もうそろそろ失礼します。お邪魔しました。

Mō sorosoro shitsurei shimasu. Ojama shimashita.

It's almost time for me to go. Thank you for having me.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

また来てください。さようなら。

Mata kite kudasai. Sayōnara.

Please come again. Goodbye.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase do you say when you enter someone's home?

Which phrase is used to thank the host when you leave?

Which sentence is the polite present form said at entry?

Which is a correct reply from the host when a guest says お邪魔します?

When entering the house, Anna said 'Ojama shimasu.'

家に入るとき、アンナは「___」と言いました。

When leaving after tea, Anna politely said 'Ojama shimashita.'

お茶を飲んで帰るとき、アンナは「___」と丁寧に言いました。

When you go to a friend's house, it's natural to first say 'Ojama shimasu' at the entrance.

友だちの家に行って、まず玄関で「___」と言うのが自然です。

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

お邪魔します

Ojama shimasu.

Excuse me for coming in.

Say this phrase out loud:

お邪魔しました。

Ojama shimashita.

Thank you for having me.