माफ कीजिए
Excuse me / Sorry
Literalmente: Forgiveness please
Use `maaf kijiye` whenever you want to be respectful while apologizing or getting someone's attention.
En 15 segundos
- The most polite way to say 'Excuse me' or 'I'm sorry'.
- Perfect for strangers, elders, and professional settings.
- Literally translates to 'Please grant me forgiveness'.
- Use it to interrupt, apologize, or ask for repetition.
Significado
This is your go-to polite way to say 'Excuse me' or 'I'm sorry.' It is the Swiss Army knife of Hindi politeness for when you bump into someone or need their attention.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Bumping into a stranger
ओह, माफ़ कीजिए! मैंने आपको देखा नहीं।
Oh, excuse me! I didn't see you.
Asking a waiter for the bill
माफ़ कीजिए, क्या मैं बिल देख सकता हूँ?
Excuse me, may I see the bill?
Being late for a business meeting
देरी के लिए माफ़ कीजिए।
Please forgive me for the delay.
Contexto cultural
The phrase reflects the deep-rooted value of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' (The guest is God) and general social hierarchy. It uses the 'Urdu' origin word 'maaf', which adds a layer of poetic elegance to everyday speech. In modern urban India, it is often swapped for 'Sorry', but using the Hindi version instantly builds a warmer rapport with locals.
The 'Ga' Factor
If you want to sound even more polite, say `maaf kijiyega`. The extra syllable makes you sound incredibly cultured and soft-spoken.
Don't over-apologize
In India, over-using formal apologies with close friends can actually create distance. If you're close, a simple 'Sorry' is better.
En 15 segundos
- The most polite way to say 'Excuse me' or 'I'm sorry'.
- Perfect for strangers, elders, and professional settings.
- Literally translates to 'Please grant me forgiveness'.
- Use it to interrupt, apologize, or ask for repetition.
What It Means
Maaf kijiye is the gold standard for formal apologies in Hindi. The word maaf means forgiveness. Kijiye is a very respectful way of saying 'please do.' Together, you are literally asking someone to 'please do forgiveness.' It sounds heavy, but it is used for everything from stepping on a toe to starting a conversation with a stranger. It is polite, soft, and shows you have great manners.
How To Use It
Use it at the beginning of a sentence to get attention. Or use it alone as a quick reaction to a mistake. If you accidentally spill a bit of chai, say it immediately. If you are trying to squeeze past someone on a crowded Delhi metro train, this phrase is your best friend. You do not need to change the words based on who you are talking to. It works for everyone. Just say it with a slight nod of the head.
When To Use It
Use it when you are talking to elders or bosses. Use it with shopkeepers or waiters to be extra polite. It is perfect for professional emails or when you are late to a meeting. If you need to interrupt someone who is talking, start with maaf kijiye. It softens the blow of the interruption. It is also great for when you didn't hear something and want the person to repeat it.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this with your best friends or younger siblings. It will sound way too stiff and robotic. They might think you are being sarcastic or that you are actually mad at them. In those cases, just say sorry or maaf kar. Also, do not use it for massive life-altering mistakes. If you forget your spouse's birthday, you might need something much stronger than just maaf kijiye!
Cultural Background
Politeness is a huge part of Indian culture. Using the aap (formal 'you') version of verbs, like kijiye, shows you respect the other person's status. Hindi speakers often mix English, so you will hear 'sorry' a lot. But using maaf kijiye shows you have taken the time to learn the 'refined' way to speak. It carries a sense of 'Tehzeeb' or etiquette that is highly valued in North India.
Common Variations
You will often hear maaf kijiyega. Adding that 'ga' at the end makes it sound even more like a gentle request. It is like adding 'if you would be so kind' to your apology. In casual settings, people drop the formality and just say maaf karna. If you are in a rush, a quick maaf with a hand gesture also works. But when in doubt, stick to the full version to stay safe.
Notas de uso
This phrase is firmly in the formal/respectful register. It is best used with the 'Aap' pronoun context. Avoid using it with close friends unless you are being intentionally dramatic.
The 'Ga' Factor
If you want to sound even more polite, say `maaf kijiyega`. The extra syllable makes you sound incredibly cultured and soft-spoken.
Don't over-apologize
In India, over-using formal apologies with close friends can actually create distance. If you're close, a simple 'Sorry' is better.
The Body Language
When saying this, a slight tilt of the head or placing a hand on your chest (near the heart) adds a massive amount of sincerity.
Ejemplos
6ओह, माफ़ कीजिए! मैंने आपको देखा नहीं।
Oh, excuse me! I didn't see you.
A standard polite reaction to a physical accident.
माफ़ कीजिए, क्या मैं बिल देख सकता हूँ?
Excuse me, may I see the bill?
Used here to politely get someone's attention.
देरी के लिए माफ़ कीजिए।
Please forgive me for the delay.
Formal apology for a professional lapse.
कल की गलती के लिए माफ़ कीजिए, मैं इसे ठीक कर दूँगा।
Sorry for yesterday's mistake, I will fix it.
Professional tone for written communication.
माफ़ कीजिए, क्या आपने अभी 'पार्टी' कहा?
Excuse me, did you just say 'party'?
Using formal language for a fun topic creates a lighthearted contrast.
मुझसे यह टूट गया, प्लीज माफ़ कीजिए।
I broke this, please forgive me.
Shows sincere regret in a social setting.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the most respectful way to apologize to your teacher.
सर, ___ , मैं अपना होमवर्क भूल गया।
`Maaf kijiye` is the respectful version suitable for a teacher.
How do you say 'Excuse me' to get past someone in a crowd?
___ , मुझे आगे जाना है।
In this context, it functions exactly like 'Excuse me' in English.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality Scale of Apologies
Friends/Siblings
Sorry / Maaf kar
Peers/Colleagues
Maaf karna
Elders/Strangers
Maaf kijiye
High Respect/Official
Kshama kijiye
Where to use Maaf Kijiye
At a Restaurant
To call the waiter
On the Street
Bumping into someone
In the Office
Interrupting a meeting
On the Phone
When you can't hear them
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, but it is more formal. While everyone understands 'Sorry', using maaf kijiye shows a higher level of respect for Hindi.
Absolutely. It works just like 'Excuse me' when you are trying to get through a crowd. Just say maaf kijiye and people will usually make way.
Maaf kijiye is formal (for elders/strangers), while maaf karna is neutral or slightly informal (for friends/younger people).
Yes, it is very common in professional or respectful texts. For example, Maaf kijiye, main abhi busy hoon (Excuse me, I am busy right now).
You can say Koi baat nahi (No problem) or Theek hai (It's okay). Both are standard ways to accept an apology.
All the time! It is often used in dramatic scenes where a character is being very humble or asking for a big favor.
Yes, it's a polite way to ask for repetition. You can say Maaf kijiye? with a rising intonation like a question.
Kshama is the pure Sanskrit word for forgiveness. It is even more formal than maaf and mostly used in literature or very serious speeches.
Usually, no. With children, you would use maaf karna or just say 'Sorry'. Using kijiye with a child might sound like you are joking.
Not at all. It is a timeless expression of politeness that remains very relevant in modern India.
Frases relacionadas
क्षमा कीजिए (Kshama kijiye)
Very formal 'Please forgive me' (Sanskrit origin)
माफ़ करना (Maaf karna)
Neutral/Informal 'Sorry'
कोई बात नहीं (Koi baat nahi)
No problem / It's okay
सुनिए (Suniye)
Excuse me / Listen (to get attention)
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