What is the difference between 失礼します and すみません?


失礼します and すみません。Is one form more polite or does it depend on the amount of
time involved before someone leaves a situation? It seems like 失礼しますis used in
preparation for leaving and すみません is used when actually leaving. I want to be
polite when leaving a conversation, and excusing myself. Thank you.




> It seems like 失礼します is used in preparation for leaving and すみません is used
> when actually leaving.

失礼します and すみません have different usage.

失礼します is a phrase that could be used in this situation. Because, it basically
means "Excuse me!", but it has also meanings like: "Goodbye!", "I'm leaving.",
"I have to go.", "I hate to run, but...", or "I've got to go."  
But, すみません means only as "Excuse me!", so it needs an additional phrase
meaning the reason to leave the situation in order to use it in this situation
like:

  * すみませんが失礼します。 
  * すみません。ちょっと席｛せき｝を外｛はず｝させてください。 
  * すみませんが急用｛きゅうよう｝がありますので。 
  * すみません。（携帯｛けいたい｝）電話｛でんわ｝が鳴｛な｝っていますので。 




> It seems like 失礼します is used in preparation for leaving and すみません is used
> when actually leaving.

失礼します and すみません have different usage.

失礼します is a phrase that could be used in this situation. Because, it basically
means "Excuse me!", but it has also meanings like: "Goodbye!", "I'm leaving.",
"I have to go.", "I hate to run, but...", or "I've got to go."  
But, すみません means only as "Excuse me!", so it needs an additional phrase
meaning the reason to leave the situation in order to use it in this situation
like:

  * すみませんが失礼します。 
  * すみません。ちょっと席｛せき｝を外｛はず｝させてください。 
  * すみませんが急用｛きゅうよう｝がありますので。 
  * すみません。（携帯｛けいたい｝）電話｛でんわ｝が鳴｛な｝っていますので。 

