O-jama shimashita (お邪魔しました) is a polite Japanese expression used when leaving someone’s house, office, or private space. Literally translating to ‘I have disturbed you,’ it serves as a humble way to thank your host for their time and hospitality.
In Japanese culture, humility and awareness of others’ space are paramount. When you visit a friend’s home or a business colleague’s office, you are technically ‘intruding’ on their personal environment. By saying O-jama shimashita, you are acknowledging this and expressing appreciation for their kindness in welcoming you.
Host: Thank you for coming over today!
You: O-jama shimashita. It was a lovely afternoon.
It is important to remember that this phrase is specifically for departing. If you are entering, the appropriate term is O-jama shimasu (I am sorry for disturbing you). Using these correctly shows that you possess omoyari, or the heart of empathy for your host’s comfort.
Pro-Tip: Want to sound more natural? Use this phrase in combination with O-sewa-sama to express deeper gratitude for the time spent together.
Learning this phrase is part of mastering the art of social grace in Japan. For more context on the foundations of polite interaction, check out our guides on O-sewa-sama and the concept of Omoyari.
