We appreciate your patience
Formal business communication expression
Use this phrase to professionally acknowledge a delay and thank someone for their time and understanding.
In 15 Sekunden
- A polite way to thank someone for waiting professionally.
- Commonly used in emails, customer service, and business meetings.
- Acknowledges that the other person's time is valuable and respected.
Bedeutung
This is a polite, formal way to thank someone for waiting or for being understanding during a delay. It turns a potentially negative situation into a positive expression of gratitude.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 7Replying to a late email
We appreciate your patience while we looked into your request.
We appreciate your patience while we looked into your request.
Waiting for a flight
We appreciate your patience as we wait for the fog to clear.
Technical support chat
I am still checking your account; we appreciate your patience.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In English-speaking corporate environments, acknowledging a delay is often more important than the delay itself. This phrase reflects the cultural value of 'time as money' by showing the speaker doesn't take the other person's time for granted. It is a key component of 'Corporate Speak,' designed to maintain a calm, professional atmosphere even during chaos.
The 'We' vs 'I' Secret
Use `We` to sound like a company representative, but use `I appreciate your patience` to sound more personal and sincere.
Don't Overuse It
If you say this three times in one call, you start to sound like a recorded message. Mix it up with `Thanks for waiting`.
In 15 Sekunden
- A polite way to thank someone for waiting professionally.
- Commonly used in emails, customer service, and business meetings.
- Acknowledges that the other person's time is valuable and respected.
What It Means
This phrase is the gold standard for professional courtesy. It is a way to say "thanks for waiting" without sounding too casual. You are acknowledging that the other person’s time is valuable. It shifts the focus from the delay to their kindness. It makes the listener feel respected and important. Think of it as a professional "buffer" for life's little hiccups.
How To Use It
You can place this phrase at the start of an email. It also works perfectly at the very end. In person, say it with a small, sincere smile. It is often followed by an update on the situation. For example, We appreciate your patience while we fix this. It works for both short delays and long-term projects. It’s like a polite handshake in verbal form.
When To Use It
Use it when a meeting starts five minutes late. Use it if you take two days to reply to an email. It is perfect for customer service roles. If a restaurant table isn't ready, this phrase saves the day. It’s great for technical support or shipping delays. Use it whenever someone has to wait for you.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for massive, life-altering mistakes. If you lose a client's house keys, say I am so sorry instead. Avoid using it with your best friends or partner. It might sound like you are a robot or a bank. If you use it too many times in one email, it loses meaning. Don't use it if no waiting actually happened.
Cultural Background
In Western business culture, time is a very precious resource. Being late is often seen as a sign of disrespect. This phrase acts as a social lubricant to smooth over these moments. It comes from a "Customer is King" philosophy. It became a staple of corporate communication in the late 20th century. It helps maintain a professional distance while still being warm.
Common Variations
You will often hear Thank you for your patience. Another version is We value your patience during this time. If you want to be slightly less formal, try Thanks for bearing with us. For very long waits, some say We truly appreciate your continued patience. Each one adjusts the "volume" of your gratitude.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is strictly professional or formal. Using it in a casual setting can come across as sarcastic or cold. Always ensure the tone of your voice or the rest of your email matches this level of politeness.
The 'We' vs 'I' Secret
Use `We` to sound like a company representative, but use `I appreciate your patience` to sound more personal and sincere.
Don't Overuse It
If you say this three times in one call, you start to sound like a recorded message. Mix it up with `Thanks for waiting`.
The Sarcasm Trap
In the UK or Australia, if someone says this with a very flat tone, they might actually be annoyed that *you* are being impatient!
Beispiele
7We appreciate your patience while we looked into your request.
We appreciate your patience while we looked into your request.
A classic way to start an email after a delay.
We appreciate your patience as we wait for the fog to clear.
Commonly heard in airport announcements.
I am still checking your account; we appreciate your patience.
Keeps the customer calm while the agent works.
Your table is almost ready; we appreciate your patience!
Used to keep hungry customers from getting frustrated.
I'm finally here! We appreciate your patience, Your Majesty.
Using formal language with friends usually implies a joke.
The doctor is running behind; we appreciate your patience.
A polite way to handle a common medical office delay.
Installing updates. We appreciate your patience.
Used by technology to manage user expectations.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best word to complete the formal business phrase.
We ___ your patience during this transition period.
The standard professional expression uses the verb `appreciate` to show gratitude.
Complete the sentence for a customer service scenario.
Thank you for ___ with us; we appreciate your patience.
The phrase `bearing with us` is a common partner to `we appreciate your patience`.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Levels of Saying Thanks for Waiting
Used with friends or close peers.
Thanks for waiting!
Standard everyday politeness.
Thanks for your patience.
Official business or corporate tone.
We appreciate your patience.
High-level legal or executive tone.
We request and value your continued patience.
Where to use 'We appreciate your patience'
Customer Support
Fixing a tech bug.
Travel
Flight or train delays.
Office
Late email replies.
Retail
Long checkout lines.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, in business. We appreciate your patience focuses on the other person's positive trait (patience) rather than your negative mistake (the wait).
Only if it is a professional text to a client. With friends, it sounds way too stiff and robotic.
It means the ability to stay calm and not get angry while waiting for something to happen.
Yes, it is a very polite way to acknowledge even a tiny delay in a formal setting like a Zoom call.
Use We if you are representing a business or a team. Use I if it is a 1-on-1 personal business relationship.
Yes, it is a standard English business phrase used globally in almost all English-speaking corporate cultures.
You can, but you should probably add an apology as well, such as We apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience.
It depends on the context. In an automated email, it feels routine. In a personal note, it feels very respectful.
You could say Thanks for hanging in there or Thanks for being so patient with me.
Yes, it can stand alone, but it is usually followed by a reason, like ...while we process your order.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Thank you for your understanding
Used when asking for a favor or explaining a difficult situation.
Thanks for bearing with us
A slightly less formal way to ask someone to be patient during a process.
Sorry for the inconvenience
A formal apology for a problem or change in plans.
We value your time
A way to show respect for a customer's schedule.
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