How to Say ‘Sorry I'm late.’ in Portuguese
Desculpa o atraso.
desh-KOOL-pah oo ah-TRAH-zoo
[desh-KOOL-pah oo ah-TRAH-zoo]
💬 Usage Tip: Portuguese apologises for the thing itself, with no word for "for": Desculpa + the problem. Swap it: Desculpa o incómodo "Sorry for the bother".
Phrase Breakdown
Desculpa
[desh-KOOL-pah]
sorry / excuse (me)
Informal imperative of 'desculpar', used to apologize to a friend.
Desculpa, não te vi.
Sorry, I didn't see you.
o
[oo]
the (masculine singular)
Article used before a masculine singular noun; often unstressed in speech.
O bilhete é mais barato se comprares com antecedência.
The ticket is cheaper if you buy in advance.
atraso
[ah-TRAH-zoo]
delay / lateness
Masculine noun meaning a delay or being late.
O comboio tem um atraso.
The train has a delay.
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