お待たせしました
omatase shimashita
The English phrase "thank you for waiting" can be translated into Japanese as お待たせしました (omatase shimashita).
お待たせしました is a polite expression used to apologize for keeping someone waiting. It is used in situations such as when you arrive at a meeting after being late or when a server brings food to a table.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase means "I have caused you to wait" in a polite manner.
Which one should you use?
While お待たせしました is standard polite Japanese, お待たせいたしました is a more humble version used in formal business settings or high-end service.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the past tense shimashita because the act of making the person wait is considered completed once you arrive or serve them.
How do you pronounce it?
omatase shimashita
Did you know?
- A server in a Japanese restaurant will often say お待たせしました even if the food arrived exactly on time, as a ritualized part of hospitality.
- The word 'matase' comes from the verb 'matsu', meaning 'to wait'. In Japanese, adding 'se' to a verb often turns it into a causative form, literally meaning 'to make someone do' something.
- In casual settings among friends, the phrase is often shortened to just お待たせ ('omatase'), dropping the formal verb entirely.
Examples in context
- お待たせしました。お子様セットとクリームソーダです。Thank you for waiting. One kid's meal and an ice cream soda.This sentence is useful for showing how a server might use お待たせしました when bringing an order to a table.Tatoeba #75345 by fcbond, translation #328374 by fcbond
- お待たせしました。お料理ができました。Omatase shimashita. Oryouri ga dekimashita.Thank you for waiting. The food is ready.
- お待たせしました。資料はこちらです。Omatase shimashita. Shiryou wa kochira desu.Thank you for waiting. Here are the documents.
Example conversation
Kenta arrives at a cafe to meet Misaki.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さん、お待たせしました。Misaki-san, omatase shimashita.Misaki, thank you for waiting.
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、大丈夫ですよ。Iie, daijoubu desu yo.No, it's okay.
- 健太 Kenta急いで来ました。Isoide kimashita.I came in a hurry.
- 美咲 Misakiそんなに急がないでください。Sonna ni isoganaide kudasai.Please don't rush like that.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
