How to Say “I am running late” in Chinese
Work and study · HSK 3
"I am running late" in Chinese is 我要迟到了 (Wǒ yào chídào le). 迟到 (chídào) is the classic word for being late to something scheduled; meetings, class, work. The 要.
Primary translation
我要迟到了
Wǒ yào chídào le
Traditional: 我要遲到了
Variants by register
Formal
不好意思，我可能会晚一点到
Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ kěnéng huì wǎn yīdiǎn dào
Casual
我要迟到了！
Wǒ yào chídào le!
When to use it
迟到 (chídào) is the classic word for being late to something scheduled; meetings, class, work. The 要...了 structure signals imminent action: 'I'm about to be late.' Punctuality matters a lot in Chinese business culture, so a quick WeChat message warning people is expected. For a softer professional version, 晚一点到 (wǎn yīdiǎn dào, 'arrive a bit late') feels less alarming than 迟到. In Taiwan you'll also hear 我會遲到 without 要. Never just show up late silently; send a message.
Example sentences
堵车，我要迟到了，抱歉！
Dǔchē, wǒ yào chídào le, bàoqiàn!
Traffic jam, I'm going to be late, sorry!
地铁延误，我可能会晚十分钟到。
Dìtiě yánwù, wǒ kěnéng huì wǎn shí fēnzhōng dào.
The subway is delayed, I might be ten minutes late.
开会别迟到，老板很严格。
Kāihuì bié chídào, lǎobǎn hěn yángé.
Don't be late to the meeting, the boss is strict.