Write a brief delay message that includes an apology, the reason, and a usable arrival estimate. The workplace and transport problem here are fictional.
Give information the reader can act on
A message such as 遅れます alone says that you will be late, but it does not help the recipient plan. Add the reason briefly, then give an arrival estimate if you can: 十時ごろ着きます. ごろ indicates an approximate time rather than a firm promise.
電車が遅れているので gives a reason using an ongoing state. With a noun such as 雨, the connection is 雨なので. Do not invent a detailed excuse when a short factual explanation is enough.
Keep the estimate separate from the meeting time
In the example, the original start is nine thirty and the new arrival estimate is ten. A reader who confuses the two numbers will misunderstand the message. If the estimate changes again, a new update should state the changed information clearly. Workplace procedures differ; this is a language exercise, not a policy template.
Examples to read before you practise
Japanese | Reading / English |
|---|---|
おはようございます。 | Good morning. |
電車が遅れているので、少し遅れます。 | My train is delayed, so I will be a little late. |
九時半の打ち合わせに間に合いません。 | I will not make the nine-thirty meeting in time. |
十時ごろ着きます。 | I will arrive around ten. |
すみません。 | I am sorry. |
着いたら連絡します。 | I will contact you when I arrive. |
Try six questions
Try these self-check questions from memory, then compare your answers with the explanations. For automatic checking and saved progress, open the related practice after this article.
What time is the arrival estimate? Copy the clock time without ごろ.
What time was the meeting? Copy the time.
Around ten: 十時（ ）
A little late: 少し（ ）。 Use 遅れる in polite non-past.
Why is the person late? Copy the transport noun.
Contact: read 連絡 in kana.
Answer key and explanations
十時 / じゅうじ — Ten is the arrival estimate.
九時半 / くじはん — The meeting starts at nine thirty.
ごろ / 頃 — ごろ marks an approximate time.
遅れます / おくれます — 遅れます reports the delay.
電車 / でんしゃ — The train is delayed.
れんらく — 連絡 is れんらく.
Keep learning
Related lessons
Try what you have just read
Recognise the pattern, write an answer from memory, then use it in a short reading. Your existing progress carries over.
Open the three-step lessonSources
Related Grammar
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