désolé pour le retard
To say sorry for being late in French, use désolé pour le retard.
What does it mean word for word?
It literally means sorry for the delay.
Which one should you use?
As a full sentence, you can say Je suis désolé(e) d'être en retard. Pardon pour mon retard and Excuse-moi pour mon retard are casual.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In a formal professional setting, Veuillez m'excuser pour mon retard is more polite than désolé pour le retard.
How does it change in a sentence?
A woman speaking says désolée pour le retard.
Did you know?
- In France, arriving 15 to 30 minutes late to a social invitation at someone's home is known as le quart d'heure poli or the polite quarter hour. Arriving exactly on time can actually be seen as rude because it may catch the host unprepared.
- The word désolé shares a common ancestor with the English word 'desolate'. While in English it describes a feeling of emptiness or loneliness, in French it has evolved to express the feeling of being sorry.
- While désolé is a direct translation of 'sorry', French speakers often prefer pardon for minor lapses like being a few minutes late. Using désolé can sometimes sound more like a deep apology for a serious mistake rather than a casual acknowledgement of a delay.
Examples in context
- Excusez-moi Monsieur Dupont, je vous présente mes excuses pour mon retard ce matin à la réunion.Excuse me, Mr. Dupont, I apologize for being late to the meeting this morning.
- Désolé d’avoir été en retard, mon train était en retard.Sorry for being late, my train was delayed.
- Pardon pour mon retard au dîner de famille, j'étais coincée dans les embouteillages.Pardon for my lateness to the family dinner, I was stuck in traffic.
- Je suis désolé pour le retard.I am sorry for being late.
- Il est vraiment désolé pour le retard.He is really sorry for being late.
Example conversation
Chloé arrives late to a meeting with Gabriel.
- ChloéBonjour Gabriel, désolé pour le retard !Hello Gabriel, sorry for being late!
- GabrielCe n'est pas grave, Chloé.It's no big deal, Chloé.
- ChloéLe bus n'est jamais arrivé.The bus never arrived.
- GabrielJe comprends, on peut commencer.I understand, we can start.
