長文失礼

• Reading: ちょうぶんしつれい
• Romaji: choubun shitsurei
• Kanji breakdown: 長 (long) + 文 (text/sentence) + 失 (lose) + 礼 (politeness) → excuse me for the long text
• Pronunciation: /tɕoː.bɯɴ.ɕi.tsɯ.ɾe.i/

Meaning

A polite phrase meaning 'sorry for the long message' — used when sending a lengthy text or post.

長文失礼 is a courteous disclaimer placed at the beginning or end of a long message. In Japanese communication culture, there is awareness that lengthy messages impose on the reader's time, so this phrase proactively apologizes. It is used in both casual and semi-formal texting — LINE group chats, forum posts, emails, and social media. The phrase reflects the Japanese cultural value of being considerate about others' time and attention.

Examples

1. 長文失礼します。先日の件について説明させてください。 Sorry for the long message. Let me explain about the other day.
2. 長文失礼だけど読んでくれると嬉しい。 Apologies for the long text, but I'd appreciate it if you read it.
3. 以上、長文失礼しました。 That's all — sorry for the long message.

Usage Guide

Context: texting, email, online forums, LINE, social media

Tone: polite, considerate

Do Say

• 長文失礼します (Excuse the long message — placed at start)
• 長文失礼しました (Sorry for the long message — placed at end)

Don't Say

• 短いメッセージに「長文失礼」はつけない (Don't add 'choubun shitsurei' to short messages — it looks sarcastic)

Common Mistakes

• Using 長文失礼 on messages that aren't actually long — it comes across as sarcastic or humble-bragging
• Forgetting it entirely on genuinely long forum posts where it's expected etiquette

Origin & History

From 長文 (choubun, long text) + 失礼 (shitsurei, rudeness/excuse me). A natural extension of Japanese communication etiquette into digital messaging, common since the 2000s.

Cultural Context

Era: 2000s digital communication

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Reflects the cultural value of consideration for others' time.