Being late happens, and in Japanese you can handle it with a short, polite apology. This workshop uses recorded native lines to help you say you are late, explain a simple reason, and respond when someone else apologizes. You will play both roles: the person arriving late and the person waiting. Listen, repeat, and choose the right line for the situation. No automatic scoring is provided, so use the answer keys to check yourself.
Apologizing When You Arrive Late
When you arrive after the scheduled time, a polite apology is enough. «遅くなりました。» means “I'm late” or “I've been delayed.” It is standard and polite. «遅れました。» also means “I was late” or “I'm late,” and is slightly more direct. Both work when you have already arrived. If you are still on the way, use «すみません、遅れます。» which means “Sorry, I'll be late.” This is for a message or call before you arrive. With close friends or family, «ごめん、遅れる。» is a casual way to say “Sorry, I'll be late.” Do not use the casual form with a boss or teacher. Practice each line aloud, paying attention to the polite endings -mashita and -masu.
Giving a Simple Reason and Responding
After apologizing, you can give a short reason. In the recorded dialogue, Speaker A says «電車が遅れていました。すみません。» meaning “The train was delayed. I'm sorry.” This is a simple, common reason. Speaker B replies «大丈夫ですよ。どうしましたか。» meaning “It's all right. What happened?” This invites an explanation. After hearing the reason, Speaker B says «そうですか。じゃあ、始めましょう。» meaning “I see. Well then, let's get started.” This moves the conversation forward. Notice that «大丈夫ですよ» reassures the late person, and «どうしましたか» asks what happened. Practice both roles: first as the late person, then as the person waiting.
Choosing the Right Line for the Situation
Use «すみません、遅れます。» before you arrive, for example in a phone call or message. Use «遅くなりました。» or «遅れました。» when you have arrived and are apologizing in person. Use «ごめん、遅れる。» only with friends, close classmates, or family. In the dialogue, Speaker A arrives and says «すみません、遅くなりました。» Then Speaker B asks «どうしましたか。» and Speaker A gives the reason «電車が遅れていました。» Finally Speaker B says «そうですか。じゃあ、始めましょう。» Think about who you are speaking to and whether you are already there or still on the way. That choice decides which apology fits.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
遅くなりました。
I'm late. / I've been delayed.
osoku narimashita
遅れました。
I was late. / I'm late.
okuremashita
すみません、遅れます。
Sorry, I'll be late.
sumimasen, okuremasu
ごめん、遅れる。
Sorry, I'll be late.
gomen, okureru
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、遅くなりました。
Sorry, I am late.大丈夫ですよ。どうしましたか。
It's all right. What happened?電車が遅れていました。すみません。
The train was delayed. I'm sorry.そうですか。じゃあ、始めましょう。
I see. Well then, let's get started.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Arriving Late
You are arriving late to a meeting. The other person is waiting. Use the recorded lines to play both roles.
Your task: First, say the late person's line: «すみません、遅くなりました。» Then switch roles and say the waiting person's line: «大丈夫ですよ。どうしましたか。» Then switch back and give the reason: «電車が遅れていました。すみません。» Finally, as the waiting person, close with «そうですか。じゃあ、始めましょう。» Repeat the exchange twice.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You hear someone say «すみません、遅れます。» You are the person waiting. Choose the best reply from the recorded lines.
Your task: Read the three options and pick the one that fits. Option 1: «大丈夫ですよ。どうしましたか。» Option 2: «ごめん、遅れる。» Option 3: «電車が遅れていました。すみません。» Say your chosen reply aloud. Then explain in English why the other two do not fit.
Recall with Correct Roles: Who Says What
You will recall the recorded dialogue without looking at the lines. Imagine two roles: Person A arrives late, Person B is waiting.
Your task: Say the four lines of the dialogue in order, assigning each line to the correct speaker. Start with Person A's apology, then Person B's reply, then Person A's reason, then Person B's closing. After you finish, switch roles and say the whole dialogue again.
Common questions
What is the difference between «遅くなりました» and «遅れました»?
Both are polite and mean you are late. «遅くなりました» is a standard apology for being late. «遅れました» is slightly more direct and also common when you arrive after the scheduled time. You can use either when you have already arrived.
When should I use «すみません、遅れます» instead of «すみません、遅くなりました»?
Use «すみません、遅れます» before you arrive, for example in a message or phone call, to warn someone that you are running late. Use «すみません、遅くなりました» when you have arrived and are apologizing in person.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: apologizing being lateChecked September 2026
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