遅刻します
Chikoku shimasu
In Japanese, "I will be late" is expressed as 遅刻します (Chikoku shimasu).
This phrase is used to inform someone that you will not arrive at a scheduled time, such as an appointment, school or work.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression is composed of the noun 遅刻 (chikoku), meaning tardiness or being late and the verb します (shimasu), which means "to do". When combined, they form the phrase "to be late".
Which one should you use?
While 遅刻します is a standard polite way to announce tardiness, you may also encounter 遅れます, which is a common and polite alternative. For casual settings, 遅れるよ provides a friendly tone, while the dictionary form 遅刻する is used for informal situations with friends or family.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 遅刻します is polite and suitable for use with teachers, bosses or acquaintances. For more casual interactions with friends or family, you should use the informal 遅刻する or the friendly 遅れるよ.
How do you pronounce it?
Chikoku shimasu
Did you know?
- When reporting that they will be late to a boss, Japanese employees often use the phrase 申し訳ございません (moushiwake gozaimasen), meaning 'there is no excuse', as a mandatory preface to 遅刻します.
- The kanji 刻 in 遅刻 means 'time' or 'carving', referring to the precise carving of marks on a sundial or water clock to track time.
- In Japanese culture, the concept of 'punctuality' is so high that arriving exactly at the scheduled time can sometimes be viewed as being 'on the edge'. To be truly safe and polite, one often aims to arrive several minutes early.
Examples in context
- すみません、今日は遅れます。Excuse me, I will be late today.
- 大変申し訳ありません、遅れます。I'm terribly sorry, but I will be late.
- ちょっと遅刻するわ、ごめんなさい。I'll be a little late, sorry.
- 電車が遅れているので、遅刻します。densha ga okurete iru node, chikoku shimasu.The train is delayed, so I will be late.
- 申し訳ありません、少し遅刻します。moushiwake arimasen, sukoshi chikoku shimasu.I am sorry, I will be a little late.
- 会議に遅刻します。kaigi ni chikoku shimasu.I will be late for the meeting.
Example conversation
Hiroto calls Yui because he is stuck in traffic.
- 大翔 Hiroto渋滞で、遅刻します。juutai de, chikoku shimasu.I'll be late because of the traffic.
- 結衣 Yui大丈夫ですよ。ゆっくり来てください。daijoubu desu yo. yukkuri kite kudasai.That's okay. Please take your time.
- 大翔 Hirotoごめんね、結衣。gomen ne, Yui.Sorry, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui気にしないで。待ってるね。ki ni shinaide. matteru ne.Don't worry about it. I'll be waiting.
