unpünktlich
late
Arriving or starting after the agreed or expected time.
EXAMPLE
Er ist oft unpünktlich und kommt zu spät zu den Besprechungen.
He is often late and arrives late for meetings.
unpünktlich
late
unpünktlich – unpünktlicher – am unpünktlichsten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry unpünktlich, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | unpünktlich |
|---|---|
| comparative | unpünktlicher |
| superlative | am unpünktlichsten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unpünktlich.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to unpünktlich.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to unpünktlich.
Usage tips
Word structure
'Unpünktlich' (late) consists of 'un-' and 'pünktlich' (punctual). Here, the prefix 'un-' negates the quality, turning 'pünktlich' into its opposite.
EXAMPLE
Wegen seines unpünktlichen Verhaltens verpasst er manchmal wichtige Termine.
Because of his habit of being late, he sometimes misses important appointments.
Typical collocations
'Unpünktlich' (late) is frequently used with 'sein' (to be), 'kommen' (to come), or 'erscheinen' (to show up). Typical accompanying phrases refer to appointments, meetings, classes, or work.
EXAMPLE
Wer im Unterricht regelmäßig unpünktlich erscheint, stört die anderen Schüler.
Anyone who regularly shows up late for class disrupts the other students.
Negative judgment
The word is neutral in register and is used in both everyday and formal situations, but it usually sounds critical when applied to a person. For transport or events, however, it simply describes a late arrival or a delayed start.
EXAMPLE
Der unpünktliche Bus kam erst nach einer halben Stunde an.
The late bus did not arrive until half an hour later.
In real life
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