סְלִיחָה

The stress falls on the final syllable. The “ch” is a throaty sound, like the ch in Scottish “loch.”

Use סְלִיחָה to politely get someone’s attention, interrupt, or ask someone to make room. It can also express an apology, for example when you have bumped into someone. Said as a question, it can mean “Pardon?” when you haven’t heard or understood.

סְלִיחָה is a feminine noun, but it is commonly used on its own as an expression. Its form does not change according to the speaker’s gender.