What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the te-form of the verb okureru (to be late) and sumimasen (excuse me/I am sorry).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
遅れてすみません is a standard polite way to apologize for being late, making it suitable for use with teachers, bosses or strangers. For close friends or family members, you can use the informal 遅れてごめん instead. Other variations include the formal 遅くなってすみません for a straightforward apology, the formal お待たせしました to say "I apologize for keeping you waiting", the informal 遅くなってごめん for a simple apology and the informal 待たせてごめんなさい to say "I'm sorry for making you wait". Additionally, the informal 遅刻してごめん is used when you specifically want to apologize for being late.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb okureru is conjugated into the te-form (okurete) to connect the reason (being late) to the apology.
How do you pronounce it?
okurete sumimasen
Did you know?
- When using the word すみません (sumimasen) after being late, you might actually be expressing gratitude. In Japanese, this word can function as a way to say 'thank you' for the other person's forbearance or for waiting for you.
- The apology for being late uses the same verb, 遅れる (okureru), that Japanese people use to describe a train running behind schedule or even a flower blooming late in the season. It describes a deviation from a natural or expected rhythm.
- If you are late for a formal meeting, the spoken words 遅れてすみません are often secondary to your physical movement. The depth and duration of your bow, or 'ojigi', are the primary indicators of how much sincerity you are actually expressing.
Examples in context
- 本当に申し訳ありません。電車が遅れてしまいましたので、遅くなってしまいました。I'm truly sorry. The train was delayed, so I ended up being late.
- 遅くなってごめん、つい寝坊しちゃって。Sorry for being late, I accidentally overslept.
- 遅れてすみません。Okurete sumimasen.I'm sorry I'm late.
- 会議に遅れてすみません。Kaigi ni okurete sumimasen.I'm sorry I'm late for the meeting.
Example conversation
Yui arrives at a cafe to meet Hiroto.
- 結衣 Yui遅れてすみません、大翔さん。Okurete sumimasen, Hiroto-san.I'm sorry I'm late, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫ですよ、結衣さん。Daijoubu desu yo, Yui-san.It's okay, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui待たせてしまって、本当にすみません。Matasete shimatte, hontou ni sumimasen.I am truly sorry for making you wait.
- 大翔 Hiroto気にしないでください。座りましょう。Ki ni shinaide kudasai. Suwarimashou.Please don't worry about it. Let's sit down.
