お待(ま)たせ

おまたせ
expression
sorry to keep you waiting; thanks for waiting
daily-life
1. sorry to keep you waiting; thanks for waiting
A set phrase used when arriving late or when someone has been waiting for you. Also used by service staff when bringing food or completing a task.
お待(ま)たせ！遅(おく)れてごめん。
Sorry for the wait! Sorry I'm late.
お待(ま)たせしました。ご注文(ちゅうもん)の品(しな)です。
Thank you for waiting. Here is your order.
大変(たいへん)お待(ま)たせいたしました。ただいまお席(せき)にご案内(あんない)いたします。
I'm very sorry to have kept you waiting. I will show you to your seat now.

Shortened form of お待(ま)たせしました. The casual form お待(ま)たせ is used between friends and family, while お待(ま)たせしました is standard polite, and 大変(たいへん)お待(ま)たせいたしました is humble/formal.

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Usage

Used in two main contexts:

  • When you arrive and someone has been waiting for you
  • When service staff deliver something to a customer (food, documents, etc.)

The phrase is almost automatic in service contexts. Even if the wait was very short, staff will say お待(ま)たせしました as a courtesy.

Similar words

  • 遅(おく)れてすみません: sorry for being late — a direct apology for lateness, not used in service contexts
  • お待(ま)ちください: please wait — the requesting side, not the apologizing side

Related Articles

Greetings and Set Phrases for Everyday Life
general
Added 2026.5.8 21:09 · Revised 2026.10.4 22:02
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