Formal to Client
Workplace · Email
ご連絡が遅くなり、大変失礼いたしました。 — I sincerely apologize for the delayed response. (Workplace · Email, Formal to Client, JLPT N3)
You
ご連絡が遅くなり、大変失礼いたしました。
ごれんらくがおそくなり、たいへんしつれいいたしました。
I sincerely apologize for the delayed response.
Romaji: Go-renraku ga osoku nari, taihen shitsurei itashimashita. / Reply Romaji: Iie, go-jijō wa rikai shite orimasu.
Reply
いいえ、ご事情はご理解しております。
いいえ、ごじじょうはごりかいしております。
Not at all, I understand the circumstances.
Gesture & etiquette
This is an email phrase. In written form, place this as the second line (after 'いつもお世話になっております'). Keep the apology to one sentence — excessive self-criticism in writing can seem performative rather than sincere.
Opening a late reply with this apology is mandatory in Japanese business communication — ignoring the delay and jumping to the topic is considered rude. Follow with the substantive content immediately after; a brief, sincere apology is far better than an over-explained one.