What does it mean word for word?
The phrase plus tard literally means "more late", composed of plus (more) and tard (late).
Which one should you use?
Use plus tard as an adverb to describe when an action occurs. In contrast, use the adjective postérieur when you need to describe a noun, such as a later date.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In informal contexts, you can use À plus tard ! or its shortened, colloquial version à plus to say "see you" or "later". Other informal options include using the short word après or the phrase À tout à l'heure when speaking with friends to mean "see you later" or "see you soon". For formal situations, such as written correspondence or official documents, use Ultérieurement. When discussing specific plans or steps, the formal expression Dans un second temps is used.
Related words
Did you know?
- In very casual speech, à plus is sometimes written as a+ in text messages, using the mathematical symbol for 'plus' as a shorthand for the word.
- The word tard is a direct relative of the English word 'tardy', as both descend from the Latin tarde.
- While à plus tard and à tout à l'heure both mean 'see you later', the latter is specifically used when you expect to see the person again on the same day.
Examples in context
- À plus tard !Talk to you later.This example is useful for practicing the greeting plus tard.Tatoeba #12709 by sacredceltic, translation #139279 by wonkk
- Fais-le plus tard !Do it later!This example shows how to use plus tard to indicate when an action should be performed.Tatoeba #10888011 by Micsmithel, translation #8997502 by mccarras
- À plus tard, Marie !See you later, Mary!This example shows a way to use plus tard when parting ways with someone.Tatoeba #10692652 by AutoBot, translation #10692654 by AutoBot
- Nous en discuterons plus tardWe will discuss it later
- Veuillez nous transmettre votre réponse ultérieurementPlease send us your response later
- Nous aborderons ce point dans un second tempsWe will address this point later
- On se voit à plus tardSee you later!
- À tout à l'heure, à la fête!See you later at the party!
- 434 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are discussing their plans for the afternoon.
- LéaTu veux venir au parc ?Do you want to come to the park?
- HugoPas maintenant, je ferai ça plus tard.Not now, I will do that later.
- LéaD'accord, on se voit plus tard alors ?Okay, so we see each other later?
- HugoOui, à tout à l'heure !Yes, see you soon!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “later” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries plus, tard, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
