返信が遅くなってすみません
henshin ga osokunatte sumimasen
In Japanese, "sorry for the late reply" is expressed as 返信が遅くなってすみません (henshin ga osokunatte sumimasen).
This phrase is used to apologize when someone has taken a long time to respond to a message or email. It is appropriate for both email and text-based communication, such as Slack or LINE.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "as for the reply, it became late, so I am sorry".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For professional settings, you can use 遅くなってしまって申し訳ありません or 返信が遅くなり申し訳ありません to show deeper regret by replacing "sumimasen" with "moushiwake arimasen". To emphasize an even more profound apology, use 大変遅くなりまして本当に申し訳ございません. In casual situations with friends or peers, use お返事が遅くなってごめんね or 返信が遅かったこと、申し訳ない. For very casual messaging with friends or close colleagues, you can shorten the phrase to 返信遅れてごめん by omitting particles.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can use the verb okurete (to be delayed) instead of osokunatte (to become late) to express the same apology, as in 返信が遅れてすみません.
How do you pronounce it?
henshin ga osokunatte sumimasen
Did you know?
- When using the formal 申し訳ありません (moushiwake arimasen), you are literally saying 'there is no way to explain my actions'. It is a way of stating that your mistake is so great that no excuse is sufficient.
- In Japanese business culture, the concept of 'being late' is often more about a breach of harmony than a matter of time. An apology like 返信が遅くなってすみません is less about the specific minutes passed and more about restoring the social equilibrium broken by the silence.
- In Japanese digital etiquette, apologizing for a late reply is often paired with thanking the other person for their patience, using お待ちいただきありがとうございます (Thank you for waiting). This focuses on the recipient's kindness rather than your own failure.
Examples in context
- 申し訳ありません、お返事が遅くなってしまってすみませんでした。I'm sorry for my late response.
- 大変遅くなりまして本当に申し訳ございません。お待たせいたしました。I sincerely apologize for the significant delay. Thank you for waiting.
- お返事が遅くなってごめんね。忙しくて返せなかったんだ。I'm sorry for the late reply. I've been busy and couldn't respond.
- 返信が遅かったこと、申し訳ない。もう少し早く連絡するように気をつける。I'm sorry for the late reply. I'll make sure to be more prompt with my responses.
- 返信が遅くなってすみません。henshin ga osoku natte sumimasen.Sorry for the late reply.
- 返信が遅くなってすみません、確認しました。henshin ga osoku natte sumimasen, kakunin shimashita.Sorry for the late reply, I have confirmed it.
- 返信が遅くなってすみません、今気づきました。henshin ga osoku natte sumimasen, ima kizukimashita.Sorry for the late reply, I just noticed it.
Example conversation
Misaki sends a message to Hiroto regarding a meeting schedule.
- 美咲 Misaki返信が遅くなってすみません、明日の時間は大丈夫ですか？henshin ga osoku natte sumimasen, ashita no jikan wa daijoubu desu ka?Sorry for the late reply, is the time tomorrow okay?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、大丈夫ですよ。hai, daijoubu desu yo.Yes, it is fine.
- 美咲 Misaki良かったです。よろしくお願いします。yokatta desu. yoroshiku onegaishimasu.That's good. I look forward to it.
- 大翔 Hirotoこちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。kochira koso, yoroshiku onegaishimasu.Likewise, I look forward to it.
