How to Say ‘Sorry for taking up your time.’ in Simplified Chinese
耽误您时间了。
dān wù nín shí jiān le
[dānwu neen shir-jyen luh]
💬 Usage Tip: 了 at the end shows that the time has already been taken up. Leaving out the subject "I" is normal when it is obvious who is speaking.
🇨🇳 In China: Patients often say this to a busy doctor as they leave, and it comes across as polite and grateful. The respectful 您 (nín) adds to that courtesy.
Phrase Breakdown
耽误您
dān wù nín
delayed you / took up your (time)
耽误 (dānwu) means 'to delay' or 'to hold up'. 您 (nín) is the polite form of 'you'. Pronounce it as dānwu nín.
对不起,耽误您了。
Sorry for holding you up.
Words in this phrase
耽误
dān wù
[dānwu]
to delay; to take up (time)
To cause someone to lose time or to hold something up.
别耽误工作。
Don't delay your work.
您
nín
[neen]
you (polite)
A respectful form of “you,” used when speaking politely to someone, such as a recruiter or company representative.
很高兴认识您，希望向您多学习。
It’s a pleasure to meet you; I hope to learn more from you.
时间了。
shí jiān le
your time (completed action)
时间 (shíjiān) means 'time'. 了 (le) shows the action has happened. The whole sentence is a polite thank-you: 'Sorry for taking your time.'
不好意思,浪费你时间了。
Sorry for wasting your time.
Words in this phrase
时间
shí jiān
[shir-jyen]
time
Refers to time in general or a specific time slot or schedule.
你什么时候有时间？
When do you have time?
了
le
[luh]
completed action marker
Shows that an action has happened or a new situation has occurred.
我想了很久，还是决定联系你。
I thought about it for a long time and still decided to contact you.
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