Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| லேட் | lēṭ | /leːʈ/ |
| லேட்டு | lēṭṭu |
Both forms of the loanword are used in casual conversation to describe arriving after an expected time. While the formal Tamil word for lateness is தாமதம், speakers in everyday conversation typically rely on these English-derived terms.
Which one should you use?
The standard loanword லேட் is used to mean late, while the form லேட்டு functions as a noun or an adjective in casual speech, similar to describing someone as a 'latecomer'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
லேட் is a colloquial term used in spoken Tamil. For formal writing or official contexts, you should use the Tamil word தாமதமாக.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, you can add the suffix '-u' to create லேட்டு, which turns the word into a noun or an adjective. Additionally, adding the emphatic particle தான் after லேட்டு (as in லேட்டு தான்) is a common way to say that someone is 'definitely late' or 'late for sure'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as lēṭ.
Did you know?
- Mixing the loanword லேட் into a sentence is a hallmark of 'Tanglish', a hybrid code-switching style used by urban speakers to signal a modern identity.
- While 'late' is an English-derived term, the formal Tamil word for lateness is தாமதம், which is actually derived from Sanskrit.
- In casual speech, adding the vowel 'u' to create லேட்டு is a systemic Tamil linguistic habit used to make English words fit the natural phonetic flow and declension of the language.
Examples in context
- இன்னிக்கி ஸ்கூலுக்கு லேட்டு தான்!(The subject) is definitely late to school today!This sentence demonstrates how to use லேட் to emphasize that someone is late for school.
- ரயில் லேட் ஆகிவிட்டது.rayil late aakivittadhu.The train is late.
- நீ ஏன் இவ்வளவு லேட்?nee yaen ivvalavu late?Why are you so late?
Example conversation
Arun and Kavitha are meeting for lunch.
- கவிதா Kavithaஅருண், ஏன் இவ்வளவு லேட்?aruṇ, ēṉ ivvaḷavu lēṭ?Arun, why are you so late?
- அருண் Arunடிராஃபிக் ரொம்ப லேட்டாக இருந்தது.ṭrāfik rompa lēṭṭāka iruntatu.The traffic was very slow.
- கவிதா Kavithaசரி, சீக்கிரம் வாங்க.cari, sīkkiram vāṅga.Okay, come quickly.
- அருண் Arunமன்னிக்கவும், லேட் ஆகிடுச்சு.maṉṉikkavum, lēṭ ākiṭuccu.Sorry, I got late.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “late” translations and entries லேட், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
