01
spät
late
Describes a point in time that is after the expected, usual, or agreed time.
example
Er kam wie immer zu spät zur Besprechung.
As always, he came late to the meeting.
spät
late
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'spät' (late) is the core of the word family around the topic of time. The verb 'sich verspäten' (to be late) and the noun 'die Verspätung' (delay) are derived from it.
EXAMPLE
Ich fürchte, ich werde mich heute um 10 Minuten verspäten.
I'm afraid I'll be 10 minutes late today.
Fixed combination: zu spät
To express that something happens after the right or possible time, 'spät' (late) is very often combined with 'zu' (too). The phrase 'zu spät kommen' (to come too late / to be late) is especially common.
EXAMPLE
Für eine Entschuldigung ist es jetzt zu spät.
It's too late now for an apology.
The comparative 'später'
The comparative form 'später' means 'at a future point in time' or 'later.' It is used very frequently in everyday life, especially in the farewell phrase 'Bis später!' (See you later!).
EXAMPLE
Ich kann jetzt nicht telefonieren, ich rufe dich später zurück.
I can't talk on the phone now; I'll call you back later.
Describing times of day
To describe an advanced part of a day, 'spät' (late) is placed as an adjective before a time expression. Typical combinations are 'am späten Nachmittag' (in the late afternoon) or 'am späten Abend' (late in the evening).
EXAMPLE
Die Party begann erst am späten Abend.
The party didn't start until late in the evening.
Compare with
spät vs früh
early
'spät' and 'früh' both describe points in time, but they point in opposite directions. 'spät' means a point in time after the normal or agreed time, or an advanced part of a period of time. 'früh' means the beginning of a day or period, or a time before what is expected. For appointments, 'früh' often means before the agreed time; 'spät' means after the agreed time. For times of day, 'früh' is more likely to mean in the morning, while 'spät' is more likely to mean in the evening or at night.
spät
Yara kommt in der Pause zu spät zum Termin.
Yara arrives late for the appointment during the break.
früh
Ali beginnt früh mit dem Lernen, weil er am Wochenende frei haben möchte.
Ali starts studying early because he wants to have the weekend free.
In real life
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