désolé pour le retard
désolé pour le retard is the French way to say "sorry for the delay".
This phrase is an apology used when someone arrives late or takes longer than expected to respond. Note that désolé pour le retard refers specifically to a delay in time (being late), whereas désolé pour le retard de réponse would specifically refer to a delay in replying.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a casual or quick apology, you can use the informal Désolé(e) pour le retard. or Pardon pour mon retard. In professional or formal emails, it is more common to use Veuillez m'excuser pour le retard than the more casual désolé. You can also use Je vous présente mes excuses pour le retard, Je tiens à m'excuser pour le retard, or Je suis désolé(e) du retard.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the person speaking is female, the adjective must take an extra 'e' to become désolée. If a group of men (or a mixed group) is apologizing, the adjective becomes désolés.
Did you know?
- In France, there is a socially accepted grace period known as le quart d'heure de politesse, which means arriving fifteen minutes late to a social gathering is actually considered polite.
- The word désolé comes from the verb désoler, which literally means 'to desolate' or 'to lay waste'.
- While English speakers often use 'sorry' as a synonym for 'excuse me', using désolé to get someone's attention in a French shop would sound quite strange and overly dramatic.
Examples in context
- Je suis désolé pour le retard.I'm sorry for the delay.This sentence shows how to use the full phrase in a complete sentence.Tatoeba #11566625 by Aiji, translation #2545915 by CK
- Désolé pour le retard, c'est à cause du train.Sorry for the delay, it's because of the train.This sentence shows the phrase being used to provide a reason for the delay.Tatoeba #8693392 by Julien_PDC, translation #11618646 by tieguy
- Désolé pour le retard, j'ai fini mon travail tard.Sorry for the delay, I finished my work late.
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are meeting at a cafe.
- NathanSalut Emma, désolé pour le retard.Hi Emma, sorry for the delay.
- EmmaPas de problème, Nathan, je viens d'arriver.No problem, Nathan, I just arrived.
- NathanTu veux prendre un café ?Do you want to grab a coffee?
- EmmaOui, avec plaisir !Yes, with pleasure!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
