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.
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.
late
'spät' and 'überfällig' both have to do with an expected time having been missed. 'spät' is more general: something happens after the agreed or usual time. 'überfällig' is stronger and fits especially when something should have happened or been done long ago. It often sounds as if there is already a problem or pressure. A person can arrive late; a payment, reply, repair, or decision can be overdue.
Die Entscheidung der Gruppe ist überfällig, damit wir endlich planen können.
The group's decision is overdue so that we can finally make plans.
Heute ist sie spät nach Hause gekommen, weil der Einkauf länger gedauert hat.
Today she came home late because the shopping took longer.