我迟到了
wǒ chídào le
In Chinese, "I'm late" is said as 我迟到了 (wǒ chídào le).
The phrase is used to state that you have arrived after an expected or scheduled time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into 我 (I/me), 迟到 (to arrive late) and 了 (a particle indicating a change of state or completed action).
Which one should you use?
While 我迟到了 is a direct way to say you are late, you may also use 我来晚了, which literally means "I came late".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal or professional tone, use 对不起，我迟到了 or 非常抱歉，我来晚了. Using 抱歉 instead of 对不起 also makes an apology for being late sound more formal. In informal situations, you can use 我迟到了, 不好意思，我迟到了 (which can mean "Oops, I am late") or 抱歉，我来晚了.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ chídào le
Did you know?
- The word 迟 in 迟到 also appears in the term 迟钝, which describes a person who is slow-witted or slow to react.
- In Chinese culture, being 'late' is often addressed by apologizing for the 'disturbance' caused to others, rather than just the time itself.
- While 我迟到了 refers to arriving late to a place, 晚了 can describe a permanent state, such as a missed life opportunity that is now 'too late' to pursue.
Examples in context
- 抱歉，我迟到了。Sorry, I'm late.This sentence is useful for saying "Sorry, I'm late."Tatoeba #2054806 by fercheung, translation #4728682 by paper1n0
- 对不起，我迟到了。I'm sorry I'm late.Tatoeba #444740 by fucongcong, translation #277376 by CK
- 抱歉，我来晚了五分钟。Sorry, I am five minutes late.
- 对不起，我迟到了，给你们带来麻烦了。I'm sorry I'm late, I've caused you trouble.
- 真糟糕，我迟到了。Zhēn zāogāo, wǒ chídào le.Oh no, I'm late.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Haoran arrives at a cafe where Jiayi is waiting.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，抱歉，我迟到了。Jiāyí, bàoqiàn, wǒ chídào le.Jiayi, sorry, I'm late.
- 佳怡 Jiayi没关系，我也刚到。Méiguānxì, wǒ yě gāng dào.It's okay, I just arrived too.
- 浩然 Haoran路上堵车很严重。Lùshàng dǔchē hěn yánzhòng.The traffic on the road was very heavy.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们快点点餐吧。Nà wǒmen kuài diǎn diǎncān ba.Then let's order food quickly.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
