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How to Say ‘I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit.’ in Japanese

なかなか伺えなくて、すみません。

nakanaka ukagae naku te sumi mase n

[nah-KAH-nah-kah oo-kah-GAH-eh naku teh soo-mee mah-seh n]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Apologizing for not visiting often is a standard greeting when you arrive at your in-laws' home, even if nobody expected more visits. It's a polite gesture rather than an admission of fault, and they'll usually wave it away.

Phrase Breakdown

なかなか伺えなくて、

nakanaka ukagae naku te

for not being able to visit for so long

なかなか with a negative means 'hardly at all'. 伺う is the humble 'to visit'. The te-form gives the reason. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

なかなか伺えなくて、気になっていました。

It had been on my mind that I couldn't visit.

Words in this phrase

なかなか

nakanaka

[nah-KAH-nah-kah]

(not) easily; hardly

With a negative verb, means something does not happen easily or for a long time.

Example

なかなか会えません。

I can hardly ever see them.

伺え

ukagae

[oo-kah-GAH-eh]

be able to visit (humble)

Potential form of the humble verb 伺う, to visit someone respected.

Example

明日伺えますか。

May I visit tomorrow?

なく

naku

[naku]

not

Negative form indicator.

Example

今日は行けなくなった。

I can't go today.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

すみません。

sumi mase n

I'm sorry.

A polite apology. Say 'su-mi-ma-sen' with a gentle falling tone.

Example

お待たせしてすみません。

Sorry to have kept you waiting.

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.

Example

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.

Example

はいていません。

I haven’t vomited.

ん

[n]

negative ending

The final sound completing the negative polite form.

Example

一人は魚が食べられません。

One person cannot eat fish.

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