A1 Expression Formal

늦어서 미안합니다.

1762

Sorry for being late.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase to politely apologize when you arrive behind schedule for a meeting, appointment, or social gathering.

  • Means: I am sorry for being late.
  • Used in: Professional meetings, dates, and meeting friends.
  • Don't confuse: '죄송합니다' (formal/apologetic) with '미안합니다' (standard/friendly).
Clock icon + Sad face + Bowing gesture = Sincere apology

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'I am sorry for being late'. You use it when you arrive after the time you promised to meet someone.
This is a standard expression for tardiness. It combines the verb 'to be late' with the connective '-어서' and the apology '미안합니다'. It is essential for maintaining good social relationships in Korea.
The phrase functions as a social lubricant. By using the causative '-어서', you explicitly link your arrival time to your apology, which is a common grammatical structure in Korean for expressing regret regarding specific actions.
This expression reflects the high-context nature of Korean communication. It is not merely an apology for the clock; it is a performative act that validates the other person's time, demonstrating 'nunchi' or social awareness. The choice between '미안합니다' and '죄송합니다' is critical for navigating social hierarchies.
Linguistically, this phrase demonstrates the Korean tendency to prioritize interpersonal harmony through explicit verbal markers of regret. The use of the causative suffix '-어서' provides a logical framework for the apology, while the selection of the verb '미안하다' vs '죄송하다' allows the speaker to calibrate the degree of social deference required in the specific context.
From a cognitive linguistics perspective, this phrase maps the concept of 'tardiness' onto the domain of 'social debt'. The speaker acknowledges a breach of the social contract and seeks to restore equilibrium. The morphological structure allows for precise calibration of register, reflecting the speaker's understanding of the complex power dynamics inherent in Korean social interactions.

Significado

Apologizing for one's tardiness.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Punctuality is a sign of respect.

💡

Be Sincere

Tone matters more than words.

Significado

Apologizing for one's tardiness.

💡

Be Sincere

Tone matters more than words.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the correct suffix.

약속에 늦____ 미안합니다.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 어서

The causative suffix -어서 is required.

🎉 Puntuación: /1

Preguntas frecuentes

1 preguntas

Yes, but '죄송합니다' is safer.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

죄송합니다

synonym

I am sorry

Dónde usarla

🏃

Meeting a friend

You: 늦어서 미안합니다!

Friend: 괜찮아, 나도 방금 왔어.

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Late-uh-suh' (늦어서) sounds like 'Late-uh-sir'—I'm late, sir!

Visual Association

Imagine yourself running to a clock tower, bowing deeply to a friend waiting there.

Rhyme

Late-uh-suh, I'm sorry for the fuss.

Story

You are running to a bus stop. You see your friend waiting. You pant, '늦어서 미안합니다!' as you arrive.

Word Web

늦다미안하다죄송하다약속시간기다리다

Desafío

Say this phrase to a mirror every time you check the time for 5 minutes.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Siento llegar tarde

Korean requires a specific formality level suffix.

French high

Désolé d'être en retard

Korean is more verb-based.

German moderate

Entschuldigung für die Verspätung

Korean is more direct.

Japanese high

遅れてすみません

Very similar cultural expectations.

Arabic moderate

أنا آسف على التأخير

Korean focuses on the action of being late.

Chinese high

对不起，我迟到了

Korean is more concise.

Korean n/a

늦어서 미안합니다

None.

Portuguese moderate

Desculpe pelo atraso

Korean is more action-oriented.

Easily Confused

늦어서 미안합니다. vs 죄송합니다

Often confused with 미안합니다.

Use 죄송합니다 for superiors.

Preguntas frecuentes (1)

Yes, but '죄송합니다' is safer.

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