What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the te-form of the verb okureru (to be late or delayed) and sumimasen (sorry or excuse me).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
遅れてすみません is a polite form suitable for use with acquaintances, colleagues or in general social situations. For a more personal and slightly less formal tone, you can use 遅れてごめんなさい. In highly formal business settings or when addressing a client, you should use 遅れて申し訳ございません to express a much deeper level of apology. For casual situations, you might use 遅れてごめんね or ちょっと遅れてしまいました for a polite way to say you are a little late.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb okureru is used in its te-form, okurete, which functions here to connect the reason for the apology (being late) to the apology itself.
How do you pronounce it?
okurete sumimasen
Did you know?
- While 'sorry' in English can be a casual filler, the phrase すみません can also function as a way to say 'thank you' when someone has gone out of their way to wait for you.
- The verb okureru (to be late) can be used for abstract concepts like 'the delayed arrival of spring' or 'the late development of a child', not just for being late to a meeting. This shows how the concept of 'delay' is applied to natural cycles in Japanese.
- While English speakers often explain why they are late, Japanese culture considers a prompt apology more important than the actual reason for the delay.
Examples in context
- 遅れてすみません。Okurete sumimasen.Sorry for the delay.
- 返信が遅れてすみません。Henshin ga okurete sumimasen.Sorry for the delay in my reply.
- 到着が遅れてすみません。Touchaku ga okurete sumimasen.Sorry for the delay in arriving.
Example conversation
Misaki arrives late to a meeting with Ren at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さん、遅れてすみません。Ren-san, okurete sumimasen.Ren, sorry for the delay.
- 蓮 Ren大丈夫ですよ、美咲さん。Daijoubu desu yo, Misaki-san.It's okay, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misakiお待たせしてしまいました。Omatase shite shimaimashita.I kept you waiting.
- 蓮 Ren気にしないでください。Ki ni shinaide kudasai.Please don't worry about it.
