How to say “I’m running a little late” in Spanish

Introduction

Learning how to say I m running a little late in Spanish helps you sound polite and natural when plans or schedules change. This article explains common phrases, timing vocabulary, pronunciation tips, and real-world examples so you can choose the right expression for friends, coworkers, or formal situations.

Common ways to say I m running a little late

When you need to tell someone you will arrive after the planned time, Spanish offers several options depending on formality and nuance. Below are the most frequent expressions, starting from casual to more formal.

Casual expressions for friends and family

Llego tarde is the simplest and most direct way to say I m late. Use it with people you know well.

Llego tarde por el tráfico. means I m late because of traffic.

Estoy retrasado is another straightforward option, though it can sound slightly more formal than Llego tarde.

Estoy retrasado un poco, no empiecen sin mí. means I m running a little late, start without me.

Voy tarde literally means I m going late and is very common in spoken Spanish.

Voy tarde, llego en diez minutos. means I m running late, I ll be there in ten minutes.

Polite and slightly formal phrases

For coworkers, acquaintances, or situations requiring courtesy, choose phrases that soften the delay.

Voy a llegar un poco tarde is polite and clearly states you will arrive a little late.

Voy a llegar un poco tarde debido a una reunión. means I m going to arrive a little late because of a meeting.

Voy a tardar unos minutos is useful when you can estimate the delay in minutes.

Voy a tardar unos minutos, ¿puedes esperarme? means I ll be a few minutes late, can you wait for me?

Disculpa la demora or Perdón por la demora are good for apologizing in a slightly formal way.

Perdón por la demora, el tren se retrasó. means Sorry for the delay, the train was delayed.

Formal and professional alternatives

In workplace or formal contexts, choose language that maintains respect and clarity.

Lamento el retraso is a formal apology meaning I regret the delay.

Lamento el retraso, tuve un contratiempo. is I regret the delay, I had an unexpected issue.

He sufrido un retraso sounds formal and slightly passive, appropriate in written communication.

He sufrido un retraso en mi vuelo. means I have experienced a delay on my flight.

Grammar and pronunciation tips

Understanding verb forms and subtle pronunciation differences helps you use each phrase correctly.

Present vs. future constructions

Use present forms for ongoing situations and future constructions when indicating an upcoming arrival. For example, Llego tarde uses the present tense to indicate current lateness, while Voy a llegar un poco tarde uses a periphrastic future to say you will arrive later.

Pronunciation pointers

Pronounce llegó and llego clearly: the double l in most Spanish varieties sounds like the y in you, though in some regions it can sound like the s in measure. Emphasize the last syllable in tarde: TAR-de. For voy a llegar un poco tarde, connect the words smoothly: voyallegarunpocotarde.

Useful vocabulary for discussing delays

Learning a few key words around the topic will let you explain reasons and give time estimates.

Retraso means delay. Use it in formal and neutral contexts.

Retraso en el vuelo explains a flight delay.

Demora is similar to retraso but slightly more formal.

Demora por la lluvia is delay due to rain.

Minutos means minutes; pair with numbers to give precise estimates, for example, 10 minutos or un par de minutos.

Atasco and tráfico both mean traffic jam. Use them to explain a common cause of being late.

Atasco and tráfico are interchangeable depending on region and preference.

Native-like phrases and small variations

Here are idiomatic and regional variations that native speakers use. These sound more natural and can help you fit into casual conversations.

Short, everyday responses

Un momento or Un segundo are quick ways to ask for a moment when you need to confirm how late you are.

Un segundo, salgo ya. means One second, I m leaving now.

En camino means on my way and implies you might be a little late but are heading there.

En camino, nos vemos pronto. means I m on my way, see you soon.

Regional flavors

In some Latin American countries people say Me atraso or Me estoy atrasando to emphasize they are experiencing a delay. These forms use the reflexive pronoun to show the action affects the speaker.

Me estoy atrasando, llego en cinco. means I m getting delayed, I ll arrive in five.

In Spain you might hear Voy con retraso in slightly formal contexts, meaning I am delayed.

Voy con retraso debido al metro. means I am delayed because of the subway.

Examples for different contexts

Below are sample lines you can memorize and use depending on whether the setting is casual, polite, or formal.

Casual friend:
Voy tarde, dame cinco minutos. means I m running late, give me five minutes.

Polite colleague:
Voy a llegar un poco tarde, ¿pueden comenzar sin mí? means I ll arrive a little late, can you start without me?

Formal meeting:
Lamento el retraso, el tráfico fue peor de lo esperado. means I apologize for the delay, traffic was worse than expected.

Short text message:
Llego en 10. means I ll be there in 10 minutes.

Phone call:
Perdón por la demora, tuve una emergencia. Llegaré en 20 minutos. means Sorry for the delay, I had an emergency. I ll arrive in 20 minutes.

Usage notes and cultural tips

Politeness and time perception vary by culture. In many Spanish-speaking countries it is polite to give a short reason for your lateness and an accurate estimate of arrival time.

When texting, brevity is common. Use Llego en 5 or Voy en 10. In conversations, add a brief apology like Perdón or Disculpa to soften the message.

Be careful with literal translations from English. Saying I m running a little late as I m a little late translates well to Voy a llegar un poco tarde or Llego un poco tarde. Avoid awkward word-for-word constructions that sound unnatural.

Short dialogues for practice

Here are two short, natural dialogues showing how these phrases appear in real conversation.

Friend call:
Amigo: Hola, ¿dónde estás?
Tú: Voy tarde, salgo en cinco.
Amigo: Perfecto, te espero.

Work meeting:
Compañero: La reunión empieza en diez.
Tú: Voy a llegar un poco tarde, tengo otra llamada.
Compañero: Entendido, te informamos de lo que ocurra.

How to respond when someone tells you they re running late

Knowing polite replies is as useful as asking for time. Here are common responses.

Informal reply:
No hay problema. or Está bien, tómate tu tiempo. means No problem or It s okay, take your time.

Polite reply:
Gracias por avisar. Nos vemos pronto. means Thanks for letting me know. See you soon.

Formal reply:
Entiendo, gracias por la información. means I understand, thank you for the information.

Conclusion

Mastering phrases to say I m running a little late in Spanish will make you sound polite and confident across settings. Use casual forms like Llego tarde with friends, polite forms like Voy a llegar un poco tarde with colleagues, and formal phrases like Lamento el retraso in professional contexts. Practice the examples and pronunciation to respond naturally when plans change.