Delays and call-backs
Conversation phrases, Stage 3chunk 11 of 21Plans and invitations
Lets you handle running late, dropping out, or calling later.
- chotto okureruI'll be a little late
- ikenaku nattaI can't make it after all
- ato de denwa suruI'll call you later
- ato de kakenaosuI'll call you back later
- saki ni ittetego on ahead; go without me
Mix-ups ato de denwa suru (I'll call) and ato de kakenaosu (I'll call back) overlap.
chotto okureru
polite sukoshi okuremasu
I'll be a little late
Texted or said before you arrive, usually with gomen and how long.
Okureru is also used for trains: densha ga okureteru (the train's late).
gomen, chotto okureru. juppun gurai.
Sorry, I'll be a bit late. About ten minutes.
ごめん、ちょっと遅れる。10分ぐらい。
sumimasen, densha ga okurete ite, sukoshi okuremasu.
Sorry, my train's delayed, so I'll be a little late.
すみません、電車が遅れていて、少し遅れます。
Written ちょっと遅れる · ちょっとおくれる · 少し遅れますWho you say itHeard 39× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
ikenaku natta
polite ikenaku narimashita
I can't make it after all
Said to cancel a plan you agreed to, usually with gomen and a short reason.
The -naku natta ending says things changed, which sounds softer than a flat ikenai.
gomen, kyuu ni shigoto ga haitte ikenaku natta.
Sorry, something came up at work and I can't make it.
ごめん、急に仕事が入って行けなくなった。
sumimasen, ashita ikenaku narimashita.
Sorry, I can't make it tomorrow after all.
すみません、明日行けなくなりました。
Written 行けなくなった · いけなくなった · 行けなくなりましたWho you say itHeard 9× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
ato de denwa suru
polite ato de denwa shimasu
I'll call you later
Said to friends or family when you can't talk now or want to talk later, often with ne.
To a client or senior, ato de odenwa shimasu is the humble version.
ima isogashii kara, ato de denwa suru ne.
I'm busy now, so I'll call you later.
今忙しいから、後で電話するね。
kaigi no ato de denwa shimasu.
I'll call you after the meeting.
会議の後で電話します。
Written 後で電話する · あとででんわする · 後で電話しますWho you say itHeard 65× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
ato de kakenaosu
polite ato de kakenaoshimasu
I'll call you back later
Said when you can't talk right now; usually with ne.
Kakenaosu means call again; kakeru alone means make a call.
gomen, ima densha. ato de kakenaosu ne.
Sorry, I'm on the train. I'll call you back later.
ごめん、今電車。後でかけ直すね。
sumimasen, ima te ga hanasenai node, ato de kakenaoshimasu.
Sorry, I'm tied up right now, so I'll call you back later.
すみません、今手が離せないので、後でかけ直します。
Written 後でかけ直す · あとでかけなおす · 後でかけ直しますWho you say itHeard 187× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
saki ni ittete
polite saki ni itte ite kudasai
go on ahead; go without me
Said when you'll catch up later; the other person may answer jaa, matteru ne.
Don't mix it up with osaki ni, which you say when you leave before others.
wasuremono shita. saki ni ittete!
I forgot something. Go on ahead!
忘れ物した。先に行ってて！
sumimasen, saki ni itte ite kudasai. sugu oikakemasu.
Sorry, please go on ahead. I'll catch up soon.
すみません、先に行っていてください。すぐ追いかけます。
Written 先に行ってて · さきにいってて · 先に行っていてくださいWho you say itHeard 18× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles