늦었어
neujeosseo
In Korean, the phrase for "I am late" is 늦었어 (neujeosseo).
The phrase is used to state that someone has not arrived at the expected time.
What does it mean word for word?
The expressions are derived from the verb 늦다, which means to be late.
Which one should you use?
While 늦었어 can be used to mean "I was late", the form 지각했어 is another informal way to say "I am late".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes based on the level of politeness required: 늦었어 is the informal version, 늦었어요 is the polite version and 늦었습니다 or 지각했습니다 are the formal versions.
How do you pronounce it?
neujeosseo
Did you know?
- The word 지각 is a homonym that can also mean 'consciousness' or 'perception' depending on the Hanja characters used.
- Unlike English, where 'late' can mean 'deceased', the Korean word 늦다 is never used to refer to someone who has passed away.
- In Korean culture, being 'late' is often viewed through the lens of nunchi, the art of sensing others' feelings, making a late arrival a social failure rather than just a scheduling error.
Examples in context
- 오늘 약속에 지각했어. 미안해.I was late for our appointment today. I'm sorry.
- 어제 수업에 늦었어. 선생님께서 화를 내셨어.I was late for class yesterday. The teacher got angry.
- 회의에 지각했습니다. 죄송합니다.I was late for the meeting. I'm sorry.
- 미안, 내가 좀 늦었어.mian, naega jom neujeosseo.Sorry, I am a little late.
- 벌써 늦었어!beolsseo neujeosseo!I am already late!
- 준비하느라 좀 늦었어.junbihaneura jom neujeosseo.I am a bit late because I was getting ready.
Example conversation
Dohyun arrives at a cafe to meet Subin.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈, 정말 미안해. 내가 늦었어.Subin, jeongmal mianhae. naega neujeosseo.Subin, I'm really sorry. I'm late.
- 수빈 Su-bin괜찮아. 나도 방금 도착했어.gwaenchana. nado banggeum dochakaesseo.It's okay. I just arrived too.
- 도현 Do-hyeon많이 기다렸지?manhi gidaryeotji?Did you wait long?
- 수빈 Su-bin아니, 별로 안 기다렸어.ani, byeollo an gidaryeosseo.No, I didn't wait much.
