Learn Hardcore Spanish (Spain): Perdón, llego con retraso.

In Spanish, the present tense is often used for something happening right now or for a situation that is currently true. So llego con retraso literally looks like I arrive with delay, but naturally it is used more like I’m arriving late or I’m late.

It does not have to mean a habitual action like I usually arrive late. In this context, the situation makes it clear that it refers to the current moment.

Why isn’t it yo llego con retraso?

Because Spanish usually drops subject pronouns when they are not needed. The ending -o in llego already tells you the subject is I.

So:

llego = I arrive / I’m arriving
yo llego = I arrive / I’m arriving, but with extra emphasis

You would include yo only if you want contrast or emphasis, for example:

Yo llego con retraso, pero ella no.
I’m late, but she isn’t.

What does con retraso mean exactly?