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How to Say ‘It's a bit late’ in Japanese

遅いですね

おそいですね

💬 Usage Tip: Use with soft tone to express concern.

🇯🇵 In Japan: Expressing time matters is done subtly.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

遅いおそい

[osoi]

Slow/Late

Describes an action or event occurring behind schedule.

Example

電車は遅いですね。

The train is late, isn't it?

ですです

[desu]

Is/am/are

A language element used to describe conditions or states.

Example

今日は寒いです。

It is cold today.

[ne]

Tag question

Used to seek agreement or confirmation from the listener.

Example

美味しいですね。

It's delicious, isn't it?

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