Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Late in Spanish: Tarde, Atrasado & More
Tarde · adjective/adverb · TAHR-deh
Late in Spanish is tarde when used as an adverb describing timing. As an adjective meaning behind schedule, atrasado/a is common. Note that tarde also means afternoon as a noun (la tarde), so context determines the meaning.
TAHR-deh — two syllables with stress on the first. The d sounds soft, almost like the English th in the.
Llegué tarde a la reunión.
I arrived late to the meeting.
Late in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for late, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| tarde | late | TAHR-deh | Default, widely understood |
| atrasado/a | late | when someone is behind schedule | |
| tardío/a | late | formal or literary, belated |
How Native Speakers Use Tarde
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Running behind schedule
Siempre llego tarde al trabajo los lunes.
I always arrive late to work on Mondays.
Llegar tarde is the most common collocation — arrive late.
Describing a belated action
Es tarde para cambiar de opinión.
It's too late to change your mind.
Ser tarde expresses that the opportunity has passed.
Using atrasado for a person
El tren está atrasado veinte minutos.
The train is twenty minutes late.
Atrasado works for transport delays and people running behind.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Tarde
Confusing tarde (late) with tarde (afternoon)
Incorrect: Nos vemos en la tarde. (intending: See you late.)
Correct: Nos vemos en la tarde. (See you in the afternoon.) / Llegaré tarde. (I'll be late.)
Tarde as a noun means afternoon (la tarde). Tarde as an adverb means late. The article la signals the noun usage.
Using tarde as an adjective directly before a noun
Incorrect: El tarde autobús salió a las diez.
Correct: El autobús tardío salió a las diez. / El autobús salió tarde.
Tarde is primarily an adverb in Spanish. For adjectival use before a noun, use tardío/a or restructure the sentence.
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Common Questions About Late in Spanish
- How do you say I am late in Spanish?
- The most natural phrasing is Llego tarde or Voy tarde. You can also say Estoy atrasado/a if you want to emphasize being behind schedule.
- Is tarde masculine or feminine?
- As a noun meaning afternoon, tarde is feminine: la tarde. As an adverb meaning late, it has no gender — it is invariable.
- What is the difference between tarde and atrasado?
- Tarde is an adverb that modifies verbs (llegar tarde). Atrasado/a is an adjective that describes a person or thing as being behind schedule (estoy atrasado). Both convey lateness but play different grammatical roles.