Offline mode

お返事が遅くなり、申し訳ございません。

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression

very formal, humble

How it works

This phrase uses the honorific prefix お (o-) with 返事 (henji, reply), indicating respect for the recipient or the act of replying. 遅くなり (osoku nari) is the continuative form of the i-adjective 遅い (osoi, late) followed by なる (naru, to become), functioning here as 'it became late'. 申し訳ございません (mōshiwake gozaimasen) is a highly formal and humble way to apologize, meaning 'there is no excuse' or 'I have no apology to offer'.

Sample sentences

先日は、お返事が遅くなり、申し訳ございませんでした。

I sincerely apologize for my late reply the other day.

お問い合わせへのご対応が、お返事が遅くなり、申し訳ございません。

I apologize for the delay in my response to your inquiry.

多忙につき、お返事が遅くなり、大変申し訳ございません。

Due to my busy schedule, I am extremely sorry for my late reply.

Quick facts

politeness:This is a highly formal and polite apology. The use of お (o-), the continuative form なり, and the humble 申し訳ございません makes it suitable for business communication or formal situations. A slightly less formal but still polite version would be 連絡が遅れてすみません (renraku ga okurete sumimasen).

usageContext:Commonly used in emails, business letters, or formal conversations when apologizing for a delay in response. It emphasizes humility and responsibility for the delay.

Often used with

Mnemonic

Get an AI-generated memory hook for お返事が遅くなり、申し訳ございません。 — a vivid scene that locks the word in your brain 🧠

Example

先日は、お返事が遅くなり、申し訳ございませんでした。

I sincerely apologize for my late reply the other day.

お問い合わせへのご対応が、お返事が遅くなり、申し訳ございません。

I apologize for the delay in my response to your inquiry.