overdue
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overdue
Describes something whose expected time or deadline has already passed without it happening or being completed.
Die Miete für diesen Monat ist schon seit einer Woche überfällig.
The rent for this month has already been overdue for a week.
long overdue
Describes an action or event that should have happened long ago because it was urgently necessary or expected.
Eine Reform des Bildungssystems ist längst überfällig.
A reform of the education system is long overdue.
The word is made up of 'über' (over) and 'fällig' (due). 'Fällig' means that a deadline has been reached. 'Über' signals that this deadline has already been exceeded. Literally, something is therefore 'over the due date.'
Die Rückgabe der Bücher ist schon seit drei Tagen überfällig.
The return of the books is already three days overdue.
'Überfällig' is almost always used as a predicative adjective with the verb 'sein' (to be). The typical sentence structure is: [Something] ist/war überfällig ([Something] is/was overdue).
Eine Gehaltserhöhung für die Mitarbeiter ist längst überfällig.
A pay raise for the employees is long overdue.
This meaning refers to concrete deadlines. You often find it in connection with words like 'Rechnung' (invoice), 'Zahlung' (payment), 'Rate' (installment), or 'Bericht' (report).
Ich habe eine Mahnung erhalten, weil meine letzte Zahlung überfällig ist.
I received a reminder because my last payment is overdue.
To emphasize that something is urgently necessary, 'überfällig' in this meaning is often combined with adverbs such as 'längst' (long since), 'dringend' (urgently), or 'schon lange' (for a long time).
Eine klare Entscheidung in dieser Sache ist dringend überfällig.
A clear decision on this matter is urgently overdue.
due
Fällig and überfällig describe a bill whose payment date has arrived. Fällig means that payment must be made now; überfällig means that the deadline has already passed. Use fällig on or by the due date, and überfällig when the payment is still outstanding after that date.
Die Rechnung für den Strom ist seit Montag überfällig.
The electricity bill has been overdue since Monday.
Die Rechnung für den Strom ist heute fällig.
The electricity bill is due today.
