迟到
chídào
In Chinese, the word for late is 迟到 (chídào).
Unlike the English adjective 'late', the Chinese 迟到 is a verb and is typically used to describe the action of arriving after a set time rather than just a state.
Meaning: not arriving until after an expected time (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
迟到 is composed of 迟 (late) and 到 (to arrive).
Which one should you use?
In more formal contexts, you may use 晚到, which emphasizes arriving late at a location or event. In informal settings, you can use 晚了 to express being late in general.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 了 after 迟到 indicates that the state of being late has occurred or has been completed, resulting in 迟到了 (was late / has been late).
How do you pronounce it?
chídào
Did you know?
- The character 迟 is an ideogram that originally depicted a foot moving slowly, visually representing the act of lagging behind.
- If you are talking about a 'late' person who has passed away, you would never use 迟到, as that would incorrectly imply they just arrived behind schedule.
- In some Chinese workplace cultures, arriving slightly after the official start time is common, but arriving exactly on the minute can be seen as overly rigid or lacking social flexibility.
Examples in context
- 我们没迟到。We're not late.This sentence uses 迟到 to state that one is not late.Tatoeba #4456370 by plutowu, translation #2240626 by CK
- 你总是迟到。You are always late.This sentence uses 迟到 to describe someone who is habitually late.Tatoeba #7767588 by jiangche, translation #70194 by CK
- 迟到总比不到好。Better late than never.This sentence uses 迟到 to express the proverb that arriving late is better than not arriving at all.Tatoeba #836581 by slo_oth, translation #2344 by CK
- 我迟到了 (wǒ chí dào le)I'm late.
- 83 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A coworker apologizes to another for arriving late to a meeting.
- 浩然 Haoran对不起，我上班迟到了。Duìbuqǐ, wǒ shàngbān chídào le.I'm sorry, I was late for work.
- 梓涵 Zihan没关系，会议还没开始。Méiguānxì, huìyì hái méi kāishǐ.It's okay, the meeting hasn't started yet.
- 浩然 Haoran因为路上的车太多了。Yīnwèi lùshàng de chē tài duō le.Because there were too many cars on the road.
- 梓涵 Zihan浩然，快坐下吧。Hàorán, kuài zuò xià ba.Haoran, please take a seat.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
