Japanese word of the day: 遅い (Osoi)

What does 遅い (Osoi) mean?

遅い (Osoi) (い-adjective) – Slow; late; delayed. This word is used to describe things that happen later than expected or move at a slower pace than usual.

Kanji details for 遅

Character: 遅 — slow, late, back, later
Radical: walk 辵 (辶, ⻌, ⻍)

Example sentences with 遅い (Osoi)

• 電車が遅いです。
  (Densha ga osoi desu.)
  🚃 The train is slow.

• 彼はいつも遅いです。
  (Kare wa itsumo osoi desu.)
  🕒 He is always late.

• 返事が遅くなってすみません。
  (Henji ga osoku natte sumimasen.)
  📩 Sorry for the late reply.

遅い (Osoi) in context

遅い is a practical word for everyday life in Japan. Use it for anything that’s behind schedule or moving too slowly, from people and vehicles to responses and processes. It’s also the word you’ll use to apologize for being late or for a delayed reply: “遅くなってごめんなさい” (Sorry for being late).

A quick tip: When you want to say someone or something “arrived late,” use the verb 遅れる (okureru). 遅い is the adjective for describing the state of being slow or late.

Whether you’re stuck in traffic, waiting for a friend, or just feeling like time is dragging, 遅い is a word you’ll find useful in all sorts of situations.