What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into henshin (reply), ga (subject marker), okurete (being late/delayed) and sumimasen (sorry/excuse me).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 返信が遅れてすみません is a polite, standard way to apologize to colleagues, acquaintances or customers. For a more personal and less formal feeling suitable for friends or family, you can use 返信が遅れてごめんなさい. In very formal business contexts or when writing to a superior, 返信が遅くなり申し訳ございません is more appropriate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb okureru (to be late) is used in its te-form okurete to connect the reason for the apology to the apology itself.
How do you pronounce it?
henshin ga okurete sumimasen
When do people say it?
While 返信が遅れてすみません is used for messages, you may also encounter お待たせしました (Omataseshimashita), which translates to "I kept you waiting" and is often used to apologize for causing someone to wait for your response.
Did you know?
- In some Japanese professional contexts, you might use 返信が遅れてすみません even if you replied within a few hours. This is because the cultural value on immediate response is so high that any gap can be seen as a delay.
- The word henshin used in this phrase is composed of the characters for 'return' and 'letter'. This literal connection to a physical letter remains even in the age of instant digital messaging.
- The word sumimasen in this phrase can actually function as a 'thank you'. In this sense, you are thanking the recipient for their patience while waiting for your message.
Examples in context
- 返信が遅れてすみません。henshin ga okurete sumimasen.Sorry for the late reply.
- 昨日は返信が遅れてすみません。kinou wa henshin ga okurete sumimasen.I am sorry for the late reply yesterday.
- メールの返信が遅れてすみません。meeru no henshin ga okurete sumimasen.Sorry for the late reply to your email.
Example conversation
Yota is replying to a message from Himari after a few days.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵さん、返信が遅れてすみません。Himari-san, henshin ga okurete sumimasen.Himari, sorry for the late reply.
- 陽葵 Himari大丈夫ですよ。気にしないでください。Daijoubu desu yo. Ki ni shinaide kudasai.It is okay. Please don't worry about it.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます。来週空いていますか？Arigatou gozaimasu. Raishuu aite imasu ka?Thank you. Are you free next week?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、空いていますよ。Hai, aite imasu yo.Yes, I am free.
