⏰

Apologizing for being late

Keywords
늦어서 죄송합니다
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Speaking
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TL;DR 🦄
  • 🙏 늦어서 죄송해요 [neu-jeo-seo joe-song-hae-yo] — "Sorry for being late"
  • 🚗 차가 막혀서요 [cha-ga ma-kyeo-seo-yo] — "Traffic was bad"
  • 😴 늦잠을 잤어요 [neut-ja-meul ja-sseo-yo] — "I overslept"
  • 📲 조금 늦을 것 같아요 [jo-geum neu-jeul geot ga-ta-yo] — "I think I'll be a bit late"
  • 🏃 금방 갈게요 [geum-bang gal-ge-yo] — "I'll be there soon"
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Practice your apology phrases at the Korean Helper Widgets — handy for those running-late moments! 🏃
 

🌈 The Big Picture

In Korea, texting ahead when you'll be late is considered more polite than apologizing only after arriving. 조금 늦을 것 같아요 ("I think I'll be a bit late") gives the other person a heads-up. When you arrive, 늦어서 죄송해요 ("sorry for being late") with a brief reason wraps it up politely. ⏰

🎭 Common Excuses (Honest Ones!)

Korean speakers often give a quick reason for lateness:
  • 차가 막혀서요 [cha-ga ma-kyeo-seo-yo] — "traffic was bad" 🚗
  • 늦잠을 잤어요 [neut-ja-meul ja-sseo-yo] — "I overslept" 😴
  • 버스를 놓쳤어요 [beo-seu-reul no-cheo-sseo-yo] — "I missed the bus" 🚌
  • 일이 늦게 끝났어요 [i-ri neut-ge kkeu-na-sseo-yo] — "work finished late" 💼
  • 길을 잘못 들었어요 [gi-reul jal-mot deu-reo-sseo-yo] — "I took a wrong turn" 🗺️

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

  • 늦어서 죄송해요 [neu-jeo-seo joe-song-hae-yo] — sorry for being late 🙏
  • 많이 기다렸어요? [ma-ni gi-da-ryeo-sseo-yo?] — did you wait long? ⏳
  • 조금 늦을 것 같아요 [jo-geum neu-jeul geot ga-ta-yo] — I think I'll be a bit late 📲
  • 금방 갈게요 [geum-bang gal-ge-yo] — I'll be there soon 🏃
  • 차가 막혀서요 [cha-ga ma-kyeo-seo-yo] — traffic was bad 🚗
  • 늦잠을 잤어요 [neut-ja-meul ja-sseo-yo] — I overslept 😴
  • 버스를 놓쳤어요 [beo-seu-reul no-cheo-sseo-yo] — I missed the bus 🚌
  • 다음부터 일찍 올게요 [da-eum-bu-teo il-jjik ol-ge-yo] — I'll come early next time 📅
  • 괜찮아요, 신경 쓰지 마세요 [gwaen-cha-na-yo, sin-gyeong sseu-ji ma-se-yo] — it's okay, don't worry about it 😊
  • 오래 기다리게 해서 미안해요 [o-rae gi-da-ri-ge hae-seo mi-a-nae-yo] — sorry for making you wait so long 🙏

🛠️ Putting It Together

A: 미안해요, 많이 늦었죠? B: 아니에요, 저도 방금 왔어요. [A: mi-a-nae-yo, ma-ni neu-jeot-jyo? B: a-ni-e-yo, jeo-do bang-geum wa-sseo-yo.]
A: "Sorry, am I really late?" B: "No, I just got here too." 😊 — 저도 방금 왔어요 is a kind, common reply.
A: 죄송해요, 차가 너무 막혀서 늦었어요. B: 괜찮아요, 많이 안 기다렸어요. [A: joe-song-hae-yo, cha-ga neo-mu ma-kyeo-seo neu-jeo-sseo-yo. B: gwaen-cha-na-yo, ma-ni an gi-da-ryeo-sseo-yo.]
A: "I'm sorry, I was late because traffic was so bad." B: "It's fine, I didn't wait that long." 🚗 — 너무 intensifies 막히다 ("be jammed").
A: 지금 어디예요? 30분이나 지났어요. B: 정말 죄송해요, 금방 갈게요. 10분만 더 기다려 주세요. [A: ji-geum eo-di-ye-yo? sam-sip-bu-ni-na ji-na-sseo-yo. B: jeong-mal joe-song-hae-yo, geum-bang gal-ge-yo. sip-bun-man deo gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.]
A: "Where are you now? It's already been 30 minutes." B: "I'm really sorry, I'll be there soon. Please wait just 10 more minutes." ⏳ — -만 더 = "just ... more."

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

Read both roles out loud, then switch roles!
민수: 지은 씨, 죄송해요. 차가 막혀서 좀 늦었어요.
[Minsu: ji-eun ssi, joe-song-hae-yo. cha-ga ma-kyeo-seo jom neu-jeo-sseo-yo.]
Minsu: "Jieun, I'm sorry. I'm a bit late because of traffic."
지은: 괜찮아요. 많이 안 기다렸어요. 무슨 일 있었어요?
[Jieun: gwaen-cha-na-yo. ma-ni an gi-da-ryeo-sseo-yo. mu-seun il i-sseo-sseo-yo?]
Jieun: "It's okay. I didn't wait that long. Did something happen?"
민수: 아침에 늦잠을 자서 버스를 놓쳤어요.
[Minsu: a-chi-me neut-ja-meul ja-seo beo-seu-reul no-cheo-sseo-yo.]
Minsu: "I overslept this morning and missed the bus."
지은: 그럴 수 있죠. 다음부터는 미리 연락 줘요.
[Jieun: geu-reol su it-jyo. da-eum-bu-teo-neun mi-ri yeol-lak jwo-yo.]
Jieun: "That can happen. Just text me ahead of time from now on."
민수: 네, 다음부터는 일찍 나올게요. 미안해요!
[Minsu: ne, da-eum-bu-teo-neun il-jjik na-ol-ge-yo. mi-a-nae-yo!]
Minsu: "Okay, I'll come out earlier next time. Sorry!"
지은: 괜찮아요. 우리 이제 들어갈까요?
[Jieun: gwaen-cha-na-yo. u-ri i-je deu-reo-gal-kka-yo?]
Jieun: "It's fine. Shall we go in now?"

🧭 Speaking Tip

Texting 조금 늦을 것 같아요 ("I think I'll be a bit late") BEFORE you arrive is often more important than the apology itself — it shows consideration for the other person's time. When you arrive, keep the apology short and add a small promise like 다음부터 일찍 올게요 ("I'll come early next time"). ⏰

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ Apologizing only after arriving, with no advance warning → ✅ Send 조금 늦을 것 같아요 as soon as you realize.
❌ Over-explaining with long excuses → ✅ One short reason (차가 막혀서/늦잠을 자서) is enough — don't over-justify.
❌ Confusing 미안해요 (casual sorry) and 죄송해요 (more formal/polite sorry) → ✅ Use 죄송해요 with strangers, coworkers, or anyone you'd use 존댓말 with.
❌ Forgetting to acknowledge the other person's wait → ✅ Add 많이 기다렸어요? ("did you wait long?") to show care.
No more stress about being late — you've got the phrases! ⏰✨
 
Try this exercise
Instructions: Choose the best phrase or answer for each situation.
1. Translate: "Sorry for being late." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
늦어서 죄송해요 [neu-jeo-seo joe-song-hae-yo]
2. Translate: "Traffic was bad." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
차가 막혀서요 [cha-ga ma-kyeo-seo-yo]
3. Fill in: 아침에 ＿＿＿＿을 잤어요. ("I overslept this morning.")
Answer
늦잠 [neut-jam]
4. Translate: "I think I'll be a bit late." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
조금 늦을 것 같아요 [jo-geum neu-jeul geot ga-ta-yo]
5. True or False: 금방 means "soon/right away."
Answer
True
6. Translate: "Did you wait long?" ＿＿＿＿
Answer
많이 기다렸어요? [ma-ni gi-da-ryeo-sseo-yo?]
7. Fill in: 버스를 ＿＿＿＿어요. ("I missed the bus.")
Answer
놓쳤 [no-cheot]
8. Translate: "I'll come early next time." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
다음부터 일찍 올게요 [da-eum-bu-teo il-jjik ol-ge-yo]
9. True or False: 죄송해요 is more formal than 미안해요.
Answer
True
10. Practice saying this out loud: 늦어서 죄송해요. 차가 너무 막혔어요. [neu-jeo-seo joe-song-hae-yo. cha-ga neo-mu ma-kyeo-sseo-yo.]
Answer
"Sorry for being late. Traffic was really bad." → A complete apology!
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 늦다 [neut-da] → be late
  • 막히다 [ma-ki-da] → be jammed/blocked
  • 늦잠을 자다 [neut-ja-meul ja-da] → oversleep
  • 놓치다 [no-chi-da] → miss (a bus/train)
  • 금방 [geum-bang] → soon
  • 기다리다 [gi-da-ri-da] → wait
  • 일찍 [il-jjik] → early
  • 미안하다 [mi-a-na-da] → be sorry (casual)
  • 죄송하다 [joe-song-ha-da] → be sorry (formal)
  • 신경 쓰지 마세요 [sin-gyeong sseu-ji ma-se-yo] → don't worry about it
Pitfalls 💡
  • text ahead of time
  • keep excuses short
  • 미안해요 vs 죄송해요
🚀
Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Apologizing for Being Late (늦어서 죄송해요)
안녕하세요! [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] Let's practice handling lateness gracefully! ⏰✨
🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any phrase.

Exercise 1 — Apologies and Reasons 🙏

A. Translate: "I'm sorry I'm late." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
늦어서 죄송해요 [neu-jeo-seo joe-song-hae-yo]
B. Translate: "I missed the subway." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
지하철을 놓쳤어요 [ji-ha-cheo-reul no-cheo-sseo-yo]
C. Fill in: 일이 ＿＿＿＿ 끝났어요. ("Work finished late.")
Answer
늦게 [neut-ge]
D. True or False: 길을 잘못 들다 means "to take a wrong turn."
Answer
True
E. Translate: "I'm really sorry for making you wait." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
오래 기다리게 해서 정말 죄송해요 [o-rae gi-da-ri-ge hae-seo jeong-mal joe-song-hae-yo]
F. Fill in: 많이 ＿＿＿＿? ("Did you wait long?")
Answer
기다렸어요 [gi-da-ryeo-sseo-yo]
G. True or False: 방금 means "just now."
Answer
True
H. Translate: "No worries, I just got here too." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
괜찮아요, 저도 방금 왔어요 [gwaen-cha-na-yo, jeo-do bang-geum wa-sseo-yo]
I. Fill in: 다음부터는 ＿＿＿＿ 연락할게요. ("I'll contact you ahead of time from now on.")
Answer
미리 [mi-ri]
J. Practice saying this out loud: 늦어서 죄송해요. 지하철을 놓쳐서 다음 차를 기다려야 했어요. [neu-jeo-seo joe-song-hae-yo. ji-ha-cheo-reul no-cheo-seo da-eum cha-reul gi-da-ryeo-ya hae-sseo-yo.]
Answer
"Sorry for being late. I missed the subway and had to wait for the next one." → A clear, brief reason!
📚
Quick Reference:
  • 늦어서 죄송해요
  • 차가 막혀서/늦잠을 자서/놓쳤어요
  • 많이 기다렸어요?

Exercise 2 — Texting Ahead 📲

A. Translate: "I think I'll be about 10 minutes late." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
10분 정도 늦을 것 같아요 [sip-bun jeong-do neu-jeul geot ga-ta-yo]
B. Fill in: 조금만 더 ＿＿＿＿ 주세요. ("Please wait just a little more.")
Answer
기다려 [gi-da-ryeo]
C. True or False: 정도 means "approximately/about."
Answer
True
D. Translate: "I'm on my way, I'll be there soon." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
가는 중이에요, 금방 갈게요 [ga-neun jung-i-e-yo, geum-bang gal-ge-yo]
E. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 중이에요. means "I'm in the middle of [doing]."
Answer
가는 [ga-neun] (or other verb stem + 는)
F. True or False: 가는 중이에요 means "I'm on my way."
Answer
True
G. Translate: "Sorry, something came up suddenly." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
미안해요, 갑자기 일이 생겼어요 [mi-a-nae-yo, gap-ja-gi i-ri saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo]
H. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 일이 생겼어요. ("Something came up suddenly.")
Answer
갑자기 [gap-ja-gi]
I. True or False: 갑자기 means "suddenly."
Answer
True
J. Practice saying this out loud: 미안해요, 갑자기 일이 생겨서 15분 정도 늦을 것 같아요. 먼저 자리 잡고 있어 주세요. [mi-a-nae-yo, gap-ja-gi i-ri saeng-gyeo-seo si-bo-bun jeong-do neu-jeul geot ga-ta-yo. meon-jeo ja-ri jap-go i-sseo ju-se-yo.]
Answer
"Sorry, something came up suddenly so I think I'll be about 15 minutes late. Please grab a seat first." → Considerate texting!
📚
Quick Reference:
  • ~ㄹ 것 같아요 = I think...
  • 가는 중이에요 = on my way
  • 갑자기 일이 생겼어요 = something came up

Exercise 3 — Full Apology Conversations 🗣️

A. Apologize for being 20 minutes late due to traffic. ＿＿＿＿
Answer
늦어서 죄송해요. 차가 막혀서 20분 정도 늦었어요. [neu-jeo-seo joe-song-hae-yo. cha-ga ma-kyeo-seo i-sip-bun jeong-do neu-jeo-sseo-yo.]
B. Fill in: 괜찮아요, ＿＿＿＿ 쓰지 마세요. ("It's okay, don't worry about it.")
Answer
신경 [sin-gyeong]
C. True or False: 신경 쓰다 means "to worry/pay attention to something."
Answer
True
D. Translate: "It happens to everyone, don't worry." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
누구나 그럴 수 있어요, 신경 쓰지 마세요 [nu-gu-na geu-reol su i-sseo-yo, sin-gyeong sseu-ji ma-se-yo]
E. Promise to set an earlier alarm next time. ＿＿＿＿
Answer
다음부터는 알람을 더 일찍 맞춰 놓을게요. [da-eum-bu-teo-neun al-la-meul deo il-jjik mat-chwo no-eul-ge-yo.]
F. True or False: 알람을 맞추다 means "to set an alarm."
Answer
True
G. Translate: "Let's just start, no need to wait for me." ＿＿＿＿
Answer
저 기다리지 말고 먼저 시작하세요 [jeo gi-da-ri-ji mal-go meon-jeo si-ja-ka-se-yo]
H. Fill in: ＿＿＿＿ 말고 먼저 가세요. ("Don't wait, go ahead.")
Answer
기다리지 [gi-da-ri-ji]
I. True or False: 먼저 means "first/ahead."
Answer
True
J. Practice saying this out loud: 정말 죄송해요. 다음부터는 절대 늦지 않을게요. 오늘은 제가 커피 살게요! [jeong-mal joe-song-hae-yo. da-eum-bu-teo-neun jeol-dae neut-ji a-neul-ge-yo. o-neu-reun je-ga ko-pi sal-ge-yo!]
Answer
"I'm really sorry. I'll never be late again. Today, I'll buy the coffee!" → Making it up to them!
📚
Everyday Cheat Sheet:
  • 신경 쓰지 마세요 = don't worry
  • 알람을 맞추다 = set an alarm
  • 제가 살게요 = I'll treat/pay
🎉 잘했어요! [jal-haess-eo-yo] Now you can apologize for being late and smooth things over in Korean — 화이팅! ⏰✨