Meaning and Usage
"お待たせしました" is a polite phrase used to apologize for making someone wait. It literally means "I have kept you waiting" and is commonly used in customer service, meetings, or any situation where a delay has occurred.
Common Contexts
You will often hear this phrase when serving customers in shops or restaurants, when starting a meeting after a delay, or when joining a conversation late.
Politeness and Register
This phrase is polite and appropriate in formal and semi-formal situations. It uses the honorific prefix "お" and the past tense "しました" to show respect.
Common Collocations
- お待たせしました、こちらが〜: "Sorry to have kept you waiting, here is..." (used when presenting something)
- お待たせしました、始めましょう: "Sorry to have kept you waiting, let's begin" (used to start an event or explanation)
- お待たせしました、申し訳ありません: "Sorry to have kept you waiting, I apologize" (more formal apology)
Learner Tips
Avoid using this phrase if you have not actually caused a wait. It implies responsibility for the delay. Also, do not shorten it in formal contexts; the full phrase is preferred.