Translation guide
The English word "late" covers several distinct meanings: arriving after the expected time, happening near the end of a period, being behind schedule, or referring to someone who has died. Japanese uses different words and patterns for each.
To describe a person, event, or thing that is not on time.
The most common verb for being late. Can be used for people, trains, payments, etc.
電車が遅れています。
The train is late.
彼はいつも遅れる。
He is always late.
Specifically for being late to an appointment, class, or work. More formal than 遅れる.
会議に遅刻してすみません。
I'm sorry I'm late for the meeting.
Adjective meaning 'slow' or 'late'. Can describe a person who is habitually late or an action that is delayed.
彼は来るのが遅い。
He is late in coming.
返事が遅くなってごめん。
Sorry for the late reply.
To describe a time that is close to the end of a day, night, season, etc.
Adverbial form of 遅い, used with time expressions.
夜遅くまで働いた。
I worked until late at night.
遅くまで起きている。
I stay up late.
Adjective used before nouns to mean 'late' in a time sense.
遅い時間に電話しないで。
Don't call at a late hour.
Means 'late night' or 'midnight', often used in formal contexts like train schedules.
To describe a project, task, or person that is not progressing as planned.
The te-iru form of 遅れる, indicating a state of being behind.
仕事が遅れている。
I'm behind on work.
スケジュールが遅れている。
The schedule is behind.
Noun meaning 'delay', often used in formal or technical contexts like transportation.
電車の遅延が発生した。
A train delay occurred.
To refer to someone who has died, often in formal or respectful contexts.
Prefix attached to a name or title to mean 'the late'. Used in formal writing and speech.
故田中氏は偉大な指導者だった。
The late Mr. Tanaka was a great leader.
Literary or emotional term for 'deceased', often used in personal contexts.
亡き父を思い出す。
I remember my late father.
Noun meaning 'the deceased' or 'the late person', used in formal or legal contexts.
The adjective 遅い (おそい) only means 'late' in time or speed. To refer to a deceased person, use 故 (こ) or 亡き (なき).
遅れる is a general verb for being late or delayed. 遅刻する specifically means being late for a scheduled event like a meeting or class, and is more formal.
会議は遅れて始まった。
The meeting started late.
遅くなってきた。
It's getting late.
I take the late-night bus.
We respect the wishes of the deceased.