Bedeutung
Indicating that the current time is advanced, often past a scheduled time.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Spain, 'tarde' is relative. Dinner often starts at 9:30 or 10:00 PM. Saying 'es tarde' at 8:00 PM might be met with confusion. The word 'ahorita' can often delay the moment when it becomes 'tarde'. It's a flexible approach to time management. Social gatherings (asados) can go until very 'tarde' in the morning. 'Es tarde' might only be said when the sun starts coming up. Despite social flexibility, being 'tarde' for a business meeting is increasingly frowned upon in urban centers like Bogotá or Santiago.
Avoid 'Soy tarde'
This is the most common mistake. Remember: People 'llegan' (arrive) tarde, only the clock 'es' tarde.
Use 'Ya'
Adding 'ya' (already) makes you sound much more native. 'Ya es tarde' sounds more natural than just 'Es tarde'.
Bedeutung
Indicating that the current time is advanced, often past a scheduled time.
Avoid 'Soy tarde'
This is the most common mistake. Remember: People 'llegan' (arrive) tarde, only the clock 'es' tarde.
Use 'Ya'
Adding 'ya' (already) makes you sound much more native. 'Ya es tarde' sounds more natural than just 'Es tarde'.
The 9 PM Rule
In many Spanish-speaking countries, 9 PM is still 'la tarde' (afternoon/evening) socially, not 'la noche' (night).
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct way to say 'I am late' in Spanish.
How do you say 'I am late'?
In Spanish, you use the verb 'llegar' (to arrive) to express that a person is late.
Complete the sentence with the correct verb.
Mira el reloj, ____ muy tarde.
Time is always expressed with the singular impersonal 'es'.
Complete the dialogue.
Ana: ¿Quieres ir a bailar? Luis: No, gracias. ____ y mañana madrugo.
Luis is declining because it is late and he has to wake up early.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a missed train?
'Ya es tarde' implies the opportunity has passed.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ser vs. Llegar
Time Expressions
Early
- • Temprano
- • Pronto
Late
- • Tarde
- • Tardísimo
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHow do you say 'I am late'?
In Spanish, you use the verb 'llegar' (to arrive) to express that a person is late.
Mira el reloj, ____ muy tarde.
Time is always expressed with the singular impersonal 'es'.
Ana: ¿Quieres ir a bailar? Luis: No, gracias. ____ y mañana madrugo.
Luis is declining because it is late and he has to wake up early.
Which phrase fits a missed train?
'Ya es tarde' implies the opportunity has passed.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, it is very common and correct.
'Tarde' is the general word for late. 'Atrasado' means 'behind schedule' or 'delayed' (e.g., a train).
Use 'Se hace tarde' or 'Se está haciendo tarde'.
It can be both. As a noun, it means 'afternoon'. As an adverb, it means 'late'.
Time is considered an essential characteristic of the moment in Spanish grammar, so 'ser' is used.
No, use 'lento' for speed.
It's informal and emphatic, best used with friends and family.
You can say 'Hasta más tarde' or 'Hasta luego'.
No, as an adverb it is invariable. As a noun, it is always feminine (la tarde).
It's a common way to describe the twilight period between 7 PM and 9 PM.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Se hace tarde
similarIt's getting late
Llegar tarde
builds onTo arrive late
Más vale tarde que nunca
idiomBetter late than never
A la tarde
contrastIn the afternoon
Tardísimo
specialized formVery late
