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How to Say ‘Sorry, I'm a little late.’ in German

Sorry, ich bin ein bisschen spät.

SOR-ee ikh bin ine BISS-khen shpate

[SOR-ee ikh bin ine BISS-khen shpate]

🇩🇪 In Germany: Punctuality matters in Germany, even on dates. If you're more than a few minutes late, a quick text ahead of time is expected.

Phrase Breakdown

Sorry, ich bin

SOR-ee ikh bin

Sorry, I am

Germans often use the casual English 'Sorry'.

Example

Sorry, ich bin gleich da.

Sorry, I'll be right there.

Words in this phrase

Sorry

[SOR-ee]

sorry

Casual apology borrowed from English, common in everyday speech.

Example

Sorry, das wusste ich nicht.

Sorry, I didn't know that.

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

bin

[bin]

First-person singular form of 'sein' meaning 'to be.'

Example

Beim Kennenlernen sage ich: Ich bin neu hier.

When meeting people I say: I am new here.

ein bisschen spät.

ine BISS-khen shpate

a little late.

'ein bisschen' means a little. Say 'spät' as 'shpayt'.

Example

Der Bus ist ein bisschen spät.

The bus is a little late.

Words in this phrase

ein

[ine]

The indefinite article 'ein'.

Example

Ich brauche ein Auto.

I need a car.

bisschen

[BISS-khen]

a little bit

Used with 'ein' to mean a small amount or slightly.

Example

Ich bin ein bisschen hungrig.

I am a little bit hungry.

spät

[shpate]

late

After the expected or desired time.

Example

Es ist schon spät.

It's already late.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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