How do you say "I'll be a little late" in Japanese?

Quick use

Use すこしおくれます (sukoshi okuremasu) at work when you need to say you will be a little late.

Chunk or pattern

• This is best learned as one practical line.
• It is especially useful for short delay messages.

Core words

• すこし: a little.
• おくれます: will be late / will be delayed.

Form note

• おくれます (okuremasu) = I will be late.
• すこしおくれます (sukoshi okuremasu) = I will be a little late.

Practical note

This sounds softer than only saying おくれます, so it is useful when the delay is small. If the delay is serious, add an estimated time.