How to enter/leave someone's house politely in Japanese?...おじゃまします/おじゃましました

Pronunciation

おじゃまします (ojama shimasu)... entering

おじゃましました (ojama shimashita)... leaving

Meaning

Direct translation is "I am going to bother you" and "I have bothered you".

Culture

It is very common in Japan to say something before and after an event. For instance, before and after eating a meal, before and after a class, before and after a meeting etc. This may be a reason why people think Japanese are so polite.