遅れました
okuremashita
The English phrase "I am late" is translated into Japanese as 遅れました (okuremashita).
This phrase is used to admit that one has arrived after the expected or scheduled time.
What does it mean word for word?
遅れました is the polite past tense of the intransitive verb okureru, which means "to be late" or "to be delayed".
Which one should you use?
While 遅れました expresses that you were delayed or late, chikoku shimashita is used specifically to state that you are late for a scheduled appointment, school or work.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plain past form okureta is used to say "I was late" in casual settings with friends or family.
How do you pronounce it?
okuremashita
Did you know?
- If a train is late in Japan, the railway company issues a 遅延証明書 'chien shoumeisho' or 'delay certificate' that passengers can show to employers to prove they weren't personally at fault.
- In Japanese culture, arriving even a few minutes early is often considered being 'on time', whereas arriving exactly at the scheduled time can sometimes be perceived as being 'late'.
- Japanese grammar allows you to omit the subject 'I' entirely. Saying 遅れました alone is the most natural way to admit you are late, as adding 私は 'watashi wa' can sound unnaturally emphatic.
Examples in context
- すみません、遅れました。Sumimasen, okuremashita.I am sorry, I am late.
- 電車が止まって、遅れました。Densha ga tomatte, okuremashita.The train stopped, so I am late.
- 会議に遅れました。Kaigi ni okuremashita.I was late for the meeting.
Example conversation
Yota arrives at a cafe to meet Misaki.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さん、遅れました！Misaki-san, okuremashita!Misaki, I am late!
- 美咲 Misaki大丈夫だよ。今来たところ。Daijoubu dayo. Ima kita tokoro.It is okay. I just got here.
- 陽太 Yota本当にすみません。Hontou ni sumimasen.I am truly sorry.
- 美咲 Misaki気にしないで。Ki ni shinaide.Don't worry about it.
