How to Say ‘Sorry I'm late.’ in Japanese
遅れて、すみません。
okure te sumi mase n
[oku-re teh soo-mee mah-seh n]
💬 Usage Tip: 遅れて is the 'and/because' shape of 遅れる "to be late", so it gives the reason you're sorry. Swap in other causes: 待たせて、すみません "Sorry to keep you waiting."
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, an apology for even a few minutes' delay is expected. Friends may follow it with a short reason, like the train.
Phrase Breakdown
遅れて、
okure te
being late / for being late
Te-form of 遅れる (to be late). Here it gives the reason for the apology. Say it 'o-ku-re-te'.
遅れて、ごめんね。
Sorry for being late.
Words in this phrase
遅れ
okure
[oku-re]
be late
The stem of the verb meaning to be late.
面接に遅れないようにします。
I will make sure not to be late for the interview.
て
te
[teh]
te-form ending
Connective ending used to link verbs or make requests and expressions.
すわってまってください。
Please sit and wait.
すみません。
sumi mase n
I'm sorry
A polite apology. In natural speech it often sounds like 'sumimasen' with a soft final 'n'.
すみません、わかりません。
Sorry, I don't understand.
Words in this phrase
すみ
sumi
[soo-mee]
excuse me; sorry
A polite attention-getter and light apology. Used to call a pharmacist/staff or to be polite before asking for help.
すみません、薬剤師さん。
Excuse me, pharmacist.
ませ
mase
[mah-seh]
polite negative (part of ません)
「ませ」 is part of 「ません」, the polite negative form.
はいていません。
I haven’t vomited.
ん
n
[n]
negative ending
The final sound completing the negative polite form.
一人は魚が食べられません。
One person cannot eat fish.
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