Formal to Senior
Care · Greeting
夜分に失礼いたします。お休み前に少しよろしいでしょうか。 — I'm sorry to disturb you at this late hour. May I have just a moment before you rest? (Care · Greeting, Formal to Senior, JLPT N3)
You
夜分に失礼いたします。お休み前に少しよろしいでしょうか。
やぶんにしつれいいたします。おやすみまえにすこしよろしいでしょうか。
I'm sorry to disturb you at this late hour. May I have just a moment before you rest?
Romaji: Yabun ni shitsurei itashimasu. O-yasumi mae ni sukoshi yoroshii deshou ka. / Reply Romaji: Ee, ii desu yo. Dou zo.
Reply
ええ、いいですよ。どうぞ。
ええ、いいですよ。どうぞ。
Yes, that's fine. Please come in.
Gesture & etiquette
Knock gently two or three times before entering. Speak softly when inside. Keep room lighting at a comfortable level — avoid switching on bright overhead lights if the senior is already in dim-light evening mode.
「夜分に失礼いたします」is the formal phrase for acknowledging that you are visiting/calling at an inconvenient late hour. In care settings, evening visits for medication checks or other routines should always begin with this apology for the intrusion. It respects the senior's right to quiet evening time.