让您久等了
ràng nín jiǔ děng le
Sorry to keep you waiting · trad. 讓您久等了
让您久等了 (Ràng nín jiǔděng le) is a polite and apologetic expression used to say "Sorry to keep you waiting." It's a key phrase in hospitality, used when you return to someone after they've had to wait for you, regardless of how long the wait was.
What does 让您久等了 (ràng nín jiǔ děng le) mean?
让您久等了 (ràng nín jiǔ děng le) means “sorry to keep you waiting” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “let you wait a long time.”
When to use it
Polite and formal due to 您 (nín). It's suitable for customers, elders, or anyone you wish to show respect to. For a more casual context with friends, you might use 让你久等了 (ràng nǐ jiǔděng le).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "RANG neen j'yoh-DUNG luh." The final 乐 (le) is a light, neutral tone particle.
Other ways to say it
- 让你久等了ràng nǐ jiǔ děng lesorry to keep you waiting (casual)
- 不好意思，让您久等了bù hǎo yìsi, ràng nín jiǔ děng leExcuse me, sorry to keep you waiting.
- 抱歉，让您久等了bàoqiàn, ràng nín jiǔ děng leMy apologies, sorry to keep you waiting.
Examples
让您久等了，您的咖啡好了。
ràng nín jiǔ děng le, nín de kāfēi hǎo le.
Sorry to keep you waiting, your coffee is ready.
不好意思，让您久等了，请跟我来。
bù hǎo yìsi, ràng nín jiǔ děng le, qǐng gēn wǒ lái.
Excuse me, sorry to keep you waiting, please follow me.
我刚去接了个电话，让你久等了。
wǒ gāng qù jiē le gè diànhuà, ràng nǐ jiǔ děng le.
I just went to answer a call, sorry to keep you waiting.
Pro tip: Always use 您 (nín) for politeness in formal or customer service settings. It's a considerate gesture that shows respect.
Related phrases
欢迎光临 · Welcome (to our store or restaurant)请稍等 · One moment, please请这边走 · This way, please
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