Signification
Commenting on the timing of something
Contexte culturel
In Ukrainian culture, being 'late' to a dinner at someone's home is often forgiven, but being 'too late' (after the food is served) is considered a bit of a social faux pas. Ukrainian business culture has become increasingly punctual. Saying 'Це занадто пізно' regarding a deadline is a serious statement of project failure. Sending a work-related Viber or Telegram message after 8 PM in Ukraine is often met with the thought that it's 'занадто пізно' for a reply until morning. In villages, 'пізно' is often tied to the sunset. Once the cows are back and the sun is down, any activity is considered 'занадто пізно'.
Drop the 'is'
Remember, Ukrainian is efficient! You don't need 'is'. Just 'It too late'.
Voiced 'Z'
Make sure to vibrate your vocal cords for the 'z' in 'pizno'. If you don't, it might sound like 'pisno' (bland/fatless), which is a different word!
Signification
Commenting on the timing of something
Drop the 'is'
Remember, Ukrainian is efficient! You don't need 'is'. Just 'It too late'.
Voiced 'Z'
Make sure to vibrate your vocal cords for the 'z' in 'pizno'. If you don't, it might sound like 'pisno' (bland/fatless), which is a different word!
Use 'Вже'
Adding 'вже' (already) before 'занадто' makes you sound much more like a native speaker: 'Вже занадто пізно.'
The 15-minute rule
In Ukraine, if you are 5-10 minutes late, don't say 'Це занадто пізно.' Just say 'Вибачте за запізнення.'
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'It is too late.'
Це _______ пізно.
'Занадто' is the specific word for 'too' (excessive).
How do you say 'It was too late' in the past?
Choose the correct sentence:
'Було' is the past tense neutral form.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Можна замовити їжу? B: Ні, вибачте, вже 23:00. _______.
11 PM (23:00) is late for ordering food.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You missed the last train home.
Missing a train is a matter of timing.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Very vs. Too
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesЦе _______ пізно.
'Занадто' is the specific word for 'too' (excessive).
Choose the correct sentence:
'Було' is the past tense neutral form.
A: Можна замовити їжу? B: Ні, вибачте, вже 23:00. _______.
11 PM (23:00) is late for ordering food.
You missed the last train home.
Missing a train is a matter of timing.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! In spoken Ukrainian, 'Занадто пізно' is very common and perfectly correct.
'Пізно' is 'late', while 'запізно' is 'too late'. They are often interchangeable in the phrase 'Це (за)пізно'.
No, it's a neutral statement of fact. However, your tone of voice can make it sound disappointed or angry.
Use 'Для мене це занадто пізно.'
Technically yes, but it's better to say 'Вже пізно починати' (It's already late to start).
Yes, for 'too much' or 'excessively'. For 'also', use 'також'.
Say 'Ще не занадто пізно.'
The opposite is 'рано' (early).
Yes, it's appropriate for professional emails regarding deadlines.
No, as an adverb, it remains 'пізно' regardless of the subject.
Expressions liées
Вже пізно
similarIt's already late
Запізно
synonymToo late
Вчасно
contrastOn time
Занадто рано
contrastToo early
Поїзд пішов
specialized formThe train has left
