Respect & Politeness
BeginnerFormalStandard
Excuse me, may I have a moment?
Ektu shunben?
EK-too SHUN-ben?
About this phrase
Literally
A little (will you) listen?
When to use it
A polite way to get a stranger's or an elder's attention before asking something; the standard "excuse me" when you're using the formal apni.
How it feels
Polite and respectful.
Formality
Formal
Grammar
Word by word
Examples
In a conversation
You
Ektu shunben?
Excuse me, may I have a moment?
Stranger
Ji, bolun
Yes, please go ahead
Common replies
Ji, bolun
Yes, go ahead
Ji, ki bepar?
Yes, what is it?