Breakdown of Permisi, bolehkah saya lewat dulu? Saya mau mengejar bus.
saya
I
mau
want
dulu
first
bus
the bus
Questions & Answers about Permisi, bolehkah saya lewat dulu? Saya mau mengejar bus.
What does the word permisi do here, and how is it different from maaf?
Permisi is the standard way to say “excuse me” when you want to get past someone or get attention; it’s not an apology. Maaf means “sorry” and is used to apologize for an inconvenience or mistake. In a crowd, say Permisi as you pass; if you actually bump someone, add Maaf.
Why use bolehkah? How is it different from boleh or bisakah?
Bolehkah asks for permission in a polite or slightly formal way; the suffix -kah turns it into a clear yes–no question. Boleh saya lewat dulu? is equally natural in everyday speech (less formal). Bisakah saya lewat dulu? asks about ability (“is it possible for me to pass?”) and can sound off; use boleh for permission.
What nuance does dulu add in lewat dulu?
Dulu literally means “first/for now,” not “in the past” in this context. It softens the request and implies “let me go ahead just for now,” reducing imposition. It’s similar to adding “just” or “for a sec” in English.
Why lewat and not melewati?