遅おくればせ

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun

belated; late; eleventh-hour

Describes something done later than expected or appropriate. Most commonly used in the set phrase 遅ればせながら (meaning 'belatedly' or 'better late than never') to apologize for a late action or greeting.

See also: 遅ればせながら (おくればせながら)

• 遅おくればせながら、明あけましておめでとうございます。

  Belatedly, Happy New Year.

• 遅おくればせの返へん事じで申もうし訳わけありません。

  I'm sorry for the belated reply.