電話に出られなくてすみません
denwa ni derarenakute sumimasen
The English phrase "sorry I missed your call" is expressed in Japanese as 電話に出られなくてすみません (denwa ni derarenakute sumimasen).
This phrase is an apology used when you were unable to answer the phone when someone called you. It is typically used when returning a missed call via a callback or when following up on a missed call via text/email.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into denwa (phone), ni derarenakute (being unable to answer/come out to) and sumimasen (sorry).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard polite version is 電話に出られなくてすみません, which is suitable for apologizing to a colleague, client or acquaintance. For a more personal and less formal apology to friends or family, you can use 電話に出られなくてごめんなさい. In highly formal professional business settings or when speaking to someone of much higher status, use お電話に出られず、申し訳ございません.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb deru (to exit/answer) is in its potential negative form derarenai (cannot answer), which is then conjugated into the -te form to provide the reason for the apology.
How do you pronounce it?
denwa ni derarenakute sumimasen
Did you know?
- In high-pressure Japanese business environments, missing a call from a superior can be viewed as a serious lapse in professionalism, sometimes requiring a formal written apology.
- While すみません is used for 'sorry', it literally translates to 'it does not finish' or 'it is not sufficient'. It implies that a simple apology cannot fully make up for the inconvenience of the missed call.
- In Japanese business etiquette, if you miss a call from a superior, it is often expected that you call back as soon as humanly possible, sometimes within minutes, regardless of your current task.
Examples in context
- 大変申し訳ありません。お電話に出られず、申し訳ございませんでした。I am extremely sorry that I couldn't answer your call.
- ごめんなさい、電話に出れなかった。I'm sorry, I couldn't answer the phone.
- ごめん、電話にでられなかったんだ。Sorry, I couldn't answer the call.
- すみません、ちょっと外出中でしたので、電話に出られなかったんです。I'm sorry, I couldn't answer the call as I was out for a moment.
- 電話に出られなくてすみません。Denwa ni derarenakute sumimasen.Sorry I missed your call.
- さっきは電話に出られなくてすみません。Sakki wa denwa ni derarenakute sumimasen.Sorry I couldn't answer the phone a moment ago.
- 会議中で、電話に出られなくてすみません。Kaigi chuu de, denwa ni derarenakute sumimasen.I was in a meeting, so sorry I missed your call.
Example conversation
Kenta calls Himari back after seeing a missed call from her.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さん、電話に出られなくてすみません。Himari-san, denwa ni derarenakute sumimasen.Himari, sorry I missed your call.
- 陽葵 Himari大丈夫ですよ、健太さん。Daijoubu desu yo, Kenta-san.It's okay, Kenta.
- 健太 Kenta用事がありましたか？Youji ga arimashita ka?Did you have something to discuss?
- 陽葵 Himariいえ、ただの確認でした。Iie, tada no kakunin deshita.No, it was just a quick check.
