Signification
Past the time for something to happen.
Contexte culturel
The 'Greek half-hour' means that being 'αργά' is socially acceptable for coffee, but 'πολύ αργά' (over an hour) requires a phone call. In Cyprus, 'πολύ αργά' is often used in the context of the heat. People avoid doing anything 'πολύ αργά' in the morning to beat the midday sun. In Greek business, deadlines are often seen as 'targets'. However, 'πολύ αργά' in a contract is strictly enforced. On Greek Twitter/X, 'Πολύ αργά' is a common meme used to mock politicians who react to a problem after it has already caused damage.
The 'Already' Boost
Add 'πια' (pyah) before 'πολύ αργά' to sound more dramatic and native: 'Είναι πια πολύ αργά!'
Don't say 'I am late'
Avoid 'Είμαι πολύ αργά'. Say 'Άργησα' (Ar-ghi-sa) instead.
Signification
Past the time for something to happen.
The 'Already' Boost
Add 'πια' (pyah) before 'πολύ αργά' to sound more dramatic and native: 'Είναι πια πολύ αργά!'
Don't say 'I am late'
Avoid 'Είμαι πολύ αργά'. Say 'Άργησα' (Ar-ghi-sa) instead.
The Greek 15-minutes
Remember that 'αργά' in Greece starts later than in Germany or the UK!
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with 'πολύ αργά'.
Ήρθα στο σταθμό στις 9:10, αλλά το τρένο έφυγε στις 9:00. Ήταν ____ ____.
Since the train left 10 minutes before you arrived, it was too late.
Which sentence means 'You are walking very slowly'?
Choose the correct option:
'Αργά' means slowly, 'νωρίς' means early, and 'γρήγορα' means fast.
Complete the dialogue.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε σινεμά; Β: Όχι, είναι 12 το βράδυ. Είναι ____ ____.
12:00 AM is too late to go to the cinema.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'Πολύ αργά' to the correct scenario:
If the shop is closed, you have arrived too late.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Αργά vs. Σιγά
When to say 'Πολύ αργά'
Travel
- • Missed ferry
- • Late bus
- • Closed gate
Social
- • Late for coffee
- • Missed party
- • Late call
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΉρθα στο σταθμό στις 9:10, αλλά το τρένο έφυγε στις 9:00. Ήταν ____ ____.
Since the train left 10 minutes before you arrived, it was too late.
Choose the correct option:
'Αργά' means slowly, 'νωρίς' means early, and 'γρήγορα' means fast.
Α: Θέλεις να πάμε σινεμά; Β: Όχι, είναι 12 το βράδυ. Είναι ____ ____.
12:00 AM is too late to go to the cinema.
Match 'Πολύ αργά' to the correct scenario:
If the shop is closed, you have arrived too late.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, it also means 'slowly'. Context tells you which one it is.
No, use 'αργοπορημένος' to describe a person who is late.
The opposite is 'νωρίς' (early) or 'γρήγορα' (fast).
It can be. It's better to say 'μπορείτε να μιλήσετε λίγο πιο γρήγορα;'
'Πολύ αργά' is the standard way to say 'too late'.
Young people might say 'έφαγα πακέτο' if they missed something because they were late.
Yes, it is neutral and appropriate.
It means 'later' or 'more slowly'.
Yes, they share the same Ancient Greek root meaning idle or slow.
No, it is an adverb and never changes form.
Yes, this means 'extremely late'.
'Αργά' is about speed/time; 'σιγά' is about volume/caution.
Expressions liées
Σιγά-σιγά
similarSlowly-slowly / bit by bit
Νωρίς
contrastEarly
Πιο αργά
specialized formLater
Καθυστέρηση
builds onDelay
Άργησα
builds onI am late
