At the A1 level, 'atrasar' is introduced primarily in its reflexive form 'atrasar-se' (to be late) and as the adjective 'atrasado' (late). Students learn to make simple excuses and describe their status. The focus is on the present tense: 'Eu estou atrasado' (I am late) or 'Eu me atraso' (I am [usually] late). Learners should be able to recognize the word on transportation signs and understand basic sentences about a bus or a train being late. The goal is to use the word to navigate basic social interactions, like apologizing for being five minutes late to a coffee date. Vocabulary is kept concrete, focusing on clocks, transportation, and personal arrival times. Grammar at this level usually avoids complex past tense conjugations, sticking to the simple present or the 'ir + infinitive' future construction ('Vou me atrasar').
At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'atrasar' in the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) to explain past events. 'Eu me atrasei ontem' (I was late yesterday). They also start to distinguish between the transitive use (to delay something) and the reflexive use (to be late). An A2 student can describe the cause of a delay in simple terms, such as 'O trânsito atrasou o ônibus' (The traffic delayed the bus). They become more comfortable with the word in the context of work deadlines and school assignments. The vocabulary expands to include common collocations like 'atrasar o relógio' or 'pagamento atrasado'. At this stage, the learner should also be able to understand the difference between 'atrasar' and 'demorar' (to take a long time), although they may still make occasional mistakes between the two.
The B1 level introduces more nuanced uses of 'atrasar' in professional and social contexts. Learners can discuss the consequences of delays using conditional structures: 'Se o trem atrasar, eu vou perder a reunião' (If the train is delayed, I will miss the meeting). They start to use the noun 'atraso' more frequently in phrases like 'com atraso' (with a delay). B1 students can handle more complex scenarios, such as explaining a project delay to a supervisor or discussing a medical appointment that is running late. They are introduced to the Imperfect Subjunctive and other more complex moods, allowing them to express hypothetical delays. The focus shifts from just 'being late' to 'causing a delay' and managing the resulting situation. They also begin to recognize more formal synonyms like 'retardar' in reading materials.
At the B2 level, learners use 'atrasar' with a high degree of precision and can handle abstract contexts. They might discuss how certain policies 'atrasam o desenvolvimento do país' (delay the country's development). Their command of the reflexive vs. transitive forms is near-perfect. B2 students can understand and use the word in idiomatic expressions and are comfortable with various registers, from casual slang to formal business Portuguese. They can participate in debates about time management and the cultural perceptions of punctuality (the 'atraso brasileiro' vs. 'pontualidade britânica'). They are also expected to use related words like 'adiar' (to postpone) correctly to distinguish between accidental delays and intentional rescheduling. Their listening skills allow them to catch the word in fast-paced news reports about economic or legislative delays.
C1 learners possess a sophisticated understanding of 'atrasar' and its derivatives. they can use the verb in figurative ways and understand its use in literature and high-level journalism. They can discuss the psychological impact of 'atraso' and use the word in complex sentence structures involving the personal infinitive or the future subjunctive. At this level, the student can use 'atrasar' to describe subtle lags in technology (latency) or biological processes. They are also adept at using formal alternatives like 'postergar' or 'diferir' in professional writing. The C1 learner can analyze the etymology of the word and its relationship to 'atrás' (behind), and they can use this knowledge to understand other related words in the word family. They can also navigate sensitive situations where a delay must be explained with great diplomacy.
At the C2 level, the use of 'atrasar' is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker. The learner can use the word in all its morphological and semantic variations, including rare or archaic forms if necessary. They can appreciate the use of 'atrasar' in poetry or classical literature, where time is often personified or manipulated. C2 speakers can use the verb to discuss highly technical subjects, such as the delay of signals in telecommunications or the retardation of chemical reactions. They have a deep understanding of the cultural history of punctuality in various Lusophone regions and can use 'atrasar' to make subtle cultural jokes or observations. Their writing is characterized by a precise choice between 'atrasar', 'retardar', 'postergar', and 'protelar', ensuring the exact shade of meaning is conveyed in any context.

atrasar 30秒で

  • Core meaning: To delay or be late.
  • Reflexive usage: 'Atrasar-se' for people being late.
  • Transitive usage: 'Atrasar algo' to delay something else.
  • Opposite: 'Adiantar' (to be early/advance).

The Portuguese verb atrasar is a fundamental pillar of time-related vocabulary, essential for anyone navigating daily life in a Lusophone environment. At its core, the word translates to 'to delay,' 'to postpone,' or 'to be late.' However, its application varies significantly depending on whether it is used transitively, intransitively, or reflexively. In the transitive sense, you are the agent of the delay: atrasar o cronograma (to delay the schedule). When used reflexively as atrasar-se, it describes the state of a person being late for an appointment. Understanding this distinction is the first step toward fluency.

The Chronological Shift
In a literal sense, atrasar refers to moving an event or an object back in time. For example, when Daylight Savings ends, you atrasa o relógio (set the clock back). This physical movement of time indicators is the most concrete application of the verb.
Human Punctuality
Socially, the reflexive form atrasar-se is used constantly. In cultures where punctuality might be viewed fluidly, you will often hear Desculpe, me atrasei (Sorry, I'm late). Here, the verb describes the failure to meet a temporal expectation.
Professional Delays
In business settings, it refers to project lags or missed deadlines. Atrasar a entrega (to delay the delivery) implies a professional setback that requires communication and management.

O trânsito intenso acabou por atrasar toda a nossa equipe para a reunião de abertura.

Translation: The heavy traffic ended up delaying our entire team for the opening meeting.

The verb is versatile across all CEFR levels because it covers both mundane personal experiences and complex logistical issues. Whether you are talking about a flight that didn't take off on time or a biological process that is lagging, atrasar is the operative word. It carries a certain weight of responsibility when used in the active voice, suggesting that something specific caused the disruption.

Não podemos atrasar o pagamento dos funcionários este mês.

Translation: We cannot delay the employees' payment this month.

Furthermore, the word is often found in the passive voice or as a past participle acting as an adjective: O ônibus está atrasado (The bus is late). In this form, it describes a state rather than an action. For a learner, mastering the transition between 'to delay' (action) and 'to be late' (state) is vital for clear communication.

Logistics and Transport
At airports or train stations, the word appears on screens everywhere. Voo atrasado is a phrase every traveler dreads, indicating a departure later than scheduled.

Se você atrasar o relógio em uma hora, estaremos no fuso horário correto.

In summary, atrasar is about the friction between expected time and actual time. It is a word of excuses, explanations, and logistical planning. By understanding its various forms, you can express everything from personal apologies to professional concerns about timelines.

Using atrasar correctly requires attention to grammar and context. As a regular '-ar' verb, its conjugation follows a predictable pattern, but its meaning shifts depending on the presence of a direct object or a reflexive pronoun. Let's break down the primary ways to incorporate this verb into your Portuguese repertoire.

The Transitive Use (To Delay Something)
When you use atrasar with a direct object, you are saying that one thing is causing another thing to be late. A chuva atrasou o jogo (The rain delayed the game). Here, the rain is the subject, and the game is the object being delayed.

Por favor, tente não atrasar o envio dos documentos necessários.

Translation: Please try not to delay the sending of the necessary documents.

One of the most common transitive uses involves timepieces. If your watch is running fast, you atrasa o relógio. Conversely, if a clock is 'atrasando' (intransitive), it means it is losing time or running slow. This distinction is subtle but important for daily interactions.

The Reflexive Use (To Be Late)
When you are talking about yourself or another person being late for an event, you must use the reflexive form: atrasar-se. Eu me atrasei para a aula (I was late for class). Without the 'me', the sentence feels incomplete or changes meaning to 'I delayed [something unspecified].'

Ela sempre se atrasa quando tem que acordar muito cedo.

Translation: She always gets delayed/is late when she has to wake up very early.

In the third person, the verb can also be used intransitively to describe a state of delay in systems. A obra atrasou (The construction work was delayed). Here, there is no reflexive pronoun because the 'work' isn't delaying itself; it simply fell behind schedule.

Common Tense Patterns
Most often, you will see this verb in the Pretérito Perfeito (Past Tense) to explain why something is currently late: O trem atrasou. However, the future tense is also common for warnings: Se você não sair agora, vai se atrasar (If you don't leave now, you will be late).

Nós não podemos nos atrasar para o jantar na casa da vovó.

Finally, remember the difference between atrasar (the action of delaying) and estar atrasado (the state of being late). While 'Eu me atrasei' focuses on the event of becoming late, 'Eu estou atrasado' focuses on your current status relative to the clock. Using the verb 'atrasar' often provides more context about the process of the delay.

If you spend any time in a Portuguese-speaking country, atrasar will become one of the most frequent verbs in your auditory environment. It permeates public spaces, workplaces, and private conversations, often serving as the linguistic lubricant for navigating the inevitable hiccups of life. Let's explore the specific domains where this word thrives.

Public Transportation Hubs
Airports, metro stations, and bus terminals are the natural habitats for atrasar. You will hear announcements like O voo 452 vai atrasar trinta minutos (Flight 452 will be delayed thirty minutes). On digital displays, the word atrasado (delayed) is a constant companion to travelers.

Atenção passageiros: o trem para Lisboa vai atrasar devido a problemas técnicos na linha.

Translation: Attention passengers: the train to Lisbon will be delayed due to technical problems on the line.

In the corporate world, atrasar is the word of choice for project managers and employees alike. It appears in emails, status reports, and during tense meetings. Isso vai atrasar o lançamento do produto (This will delay the product launch) is a phrase that signals a need for strategy adjustment. It is less about a person's failure and more about the timeline's integrity.

Schools and Universities
Students frequently use the reflexive form when arriving at a lecture. Professor, desculpe por me atrasar, o ônibus quebrou (Professor, sorry for being late, the bus broke down). Academic deadlines are also described using the transitive form: atrasar a entrega do trabalho.

Se a gente atrasar mais cinco minutos, vamos perder o início do filme!

In healthcare, you might hear it in relation to appointments or even biological cycles. A consulta está atrasada (The appointment is running late). More specifically, in medical contexts, women might use the noun form atraso or the verb to discuss a menstrual cycle: Minha menstruação está atrasada. This demonstrates the verb's reach into the most personal aspects of life.

Daily Social Interactions
Text messages (WhatsApp is ubiquitous in Brazil and Portugal) are filled with this word. Tô atrasado! (I'm late!) or Vou me atrasar um pouco (I'm going to be a bit late) are perhaps the most common sentences you will read from friends.

Ultimately, hearing atrasar is about hearing the reality of time management. It is a word that bridges the gap between the planned ideal and the messy, unpredictable reality of human existence.

For English speakers, atrasar presents a few linguistic traps. Because the English word 'late' can be an adjective, an adverb, or part of a verb phrase ('to be late'), learners often struggle to choose the correct Portuguese equivalent. Here are the most frequent errors and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
The most common error is saying Eu atrasei when you mean 'I was late.' In Portuguese, if you are the one who is late, you must use the reflexive form: Eu me atrasei. Without the 'me', it sounds like you delayed something else but didn't finish the sentence.

Incorrect: Eu atrasei para a festa.
Correct: Eu me atrasei para a festa.

This reflexive requirement is often counter-intuitive for English speakers because 'to be late' uses the verb 'to be' (ser/estar) plus an adjective. While you can say Eu estou atrasado, using the verb atrasar-se is more dynamic and common for describing the act of becoming late.

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Atrasar' with 'Demorar'
Learners often use atrasar when they should use demorar. Atrasar means to be late relative to a specific scheduled time. Demorar means to take a long time to do something. If a trip takes five hours instead of two, it 'demorou'. If you arrive at 5 PM instead of 4 PM, you 'atrasou'.

O ônibus atrasou (The bus was late).
O ônibus demorou (The bus took a long time to arrive).

Another trap is the confusion between the verb atrasar and the adverb tarde. You cannot say 'Eu sou tarde.' You must say 'Eu estou atrasado' or 'Eu cheguei tarde.' Tarde refers to the time of day (afternoon) or the general concept of lateness, while atrasar is the specific action of falling behind.

Mistake 3: Misusing the Clock Context
When a clock is slow, we say O relógio está atrasado. However, if you are actively changing the time to an earlier hour, you atrasa o relógio. Some learners confuse this with 'adiantar' (to move forward/set ahead). Remember: Atrasar = Atrás (Behind/Back).

Finally, be careful with the word atraso (the noun). While in English you might say 'I have a delay,' in Portuguese it's more natural to say 'Estou com atraso' or simply 'Estou atrasado.' Over-relying on the noun can make your Portuguese sound 'translated' rather than natural.

While atrasar is the most common way to express delay, Portuguese offers several synonyms and related terms that can add precision to your speech. Choosing the right word depends on the level of formality and the specific nature of the delay.

Retardar vs. Atrasar
Retardar is more formal and often used in scientific, technical, or literary contexts. It implies slowing down a process rather than just missing a deadline. For example, retardar o envelhecimento (to slow down aging). Atrasar is much more common in daily life.
Adiar vs. Atrasar
Adiar means 'to postpone' or 'to reschedule for a later date.' This is a deliberate action. If a meeting is moved from Monday to Wednesday, it was adiada. If the meeting was supposed to start at 9 AM but starts at 9:30 AM, it was atrasada.
Postergar
This is a highly formal synonym for adiar. You will find it in legal documents or academic writing. It suggests putting something off until a later time, often indefinitely. It is rarely used in casual conversation.

Em vez de atrasar o projeto, decidimos adiar a data final em uma semana.

Translation: Instead of delaying the project (falling behind), we decided to postpone the final date by one week (deliberate change).

In informal Brazilian Portuguese, you might encounter the expression dar um bolo. While not a direct synonym for 'atrasar,' it means to stand someone up (never showing up for the delayed event). Another informal term is enrolar, which means to procrastinate or dawdle, often causing a delay.

For the opposite of atrasar, use adiantar. This means to move something forward or to be ahead of schedule. If you arrive early, you can say Eu me adiantei. If you set your clock forward for Daylight Savings, you adianta o relógio. Mastering this pair (atrasar/adiantar) will give you full control over temporal discussions in Portuguese.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The word is literally built on the concept of being 'behind' (atrás) the schedule. If you are 'atrasado', you are physically or metaphorically 'behind' where you should be in time.

発音ガイド

UK /ɐ.tɾɐ.ˈzaɾ/
US /a.tɾa.ˈzaʁ/
The stress is on the last syllable 'zar'.
韻が合う語
casar passar falar andar chegar olhar pensar levar
よくある間違い
  • Pronouncing the 's' as an 's' sound instead of a 'z' sound (it is between vowels).
  • Over-emphasizing the first 'a'.
  • Failing to flip the 'r' in 'tra'.
  • Using an English 'r' sound.
  • Stressing the second syllable instead of the last.

難易度

読解 1/5

Easy to recognize on signs and in text.

ライティング 2/5

Requires remembering the reflexive pronoun 'se'.

スピーキング 2/5

Commonly used, but pronunciation of 'z' and 'r' needs practice.

リスニング 2/5

Often spoken quickly in announcements.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

tempo hora atrás relógio chegar

次に学ぶ

adiantar demorar cedo tarde agendar

上級

postergar protelar diferir intempestivo dilatório

知っておくべき文法

Reflexive Pronouns

Eu **me** atraso, tu **te** atrasas, ele **se** atrasa.

Pretérito Perfeito vs Imperfeito

Eu me **atrasei** (once) vs Eu me **atrasava** (habitually).

Future Subjunctive

Se o ônibus **atrasar**, eu aviso.

Passive Voice with Estar

O relatório **está atrasado**.

Direct Objects

A chuva atrasou **o jogo**.

レベル別の例文

1

Eu estou atrasado para a escola.

I am late for school.

Uses 'estar' + adjective 'atrasado'.

2

O ônibus vai atrasar?

Will the bus be late?

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

3

Desculpe, eu me atrasei cinco minutos.

Sorry, I was five minutes late.

Reflexive 'me atrasei' in the past.

4

O relógio da sala está atrasado.

The living room clock is slow.

'Atrasado' describing a slow clock.

5

Não se atrase para o jantar!

Don't be late for dinner!

Negative imperative with reflexive 'se'.

6

O voo está atrasado duas horas.

The flight is delayed two hours.

Standard state description.

7

Por que você se atrasa sempre?

Why are you always late?

Present tense reflexive 'se atrasa'.

8

Eu não quero atrasar o grupo.

I don't want to delay the group.

Transitive use with 'o grupo' as object.

1

A chuva atrasou o início da partida.

The rain delayed the start of the match.

Transitive 'atrasou' with subject 'a chuva'.

2

Nós nos atrasamos por causa do trânsito.

We were late because of the traffic.

First person plural reflexive 'nos atrasamos'.

3

Você precisa atrasar o relógio hoje à noite.

You need to set the clock back tonight.

Infinitive after 'precisa'.

4

O professor não gosta quando os alunos se atrasam.

The teacher doesn't like it when students are late.

Subordinate clause with reflexive 'se atrasam'.

5

O pagamento do salário atrasou este mês.

The salary payment was late this month.

Intransitive use where the payment is the subject.

6

Eles se atrasaram para o cinema e perderam os trailers.

They were late for the cinema and missed the trailers.

Compound sentence with 'se atrasaram'.

7

Eu atrasei a entrega do relatório por um dia.

I delayed the report submission by one day.

Transitive use with 'a entrega' as object.

8

O trem costuma atrasar nesta época do ano.

The train usually runs late at this time of year.

'Costuma' + infinitive.

1

Se o projeto atrasar, teremos que trabalhar no fim de semana.

If the project is delayed, we'll have to work on the weekend.

Conditional 'se' + future subjunctive (atrasar).

2

Espero que o ônibus não se atrase hoje.

I hope the bus isn't late today.

Subjunctive 'atrase' after 'espero que'.

3

A falta de peças atrasou a produção na fábrica.

The lack of parts delayed production at the factory.

Noun phrase subject 'A falta de peças'.

4

Sempre que me atraso, fico muito estressado.

Whenever I'm late, I get very stressed.

Temporal clause with reflexive 'me atraso'.

5

O governo decidiu atrasar a votação da nova lei.

The government decided to delay the vote on the new law.

Transitive use in a political context.

6

Você já se atrasou para uma entrevista de emprego?

Have you ever been late for a job interview?

Present perfect 'já se atrasou'.

7

O médico se atrasou devido a uma emergência.

The doctor was delayed due to an emergency.

Explaining a delay with 'devido a'.

8

Não quero atrasar mais o seu tempo.

I don't want to delay your time any further.

Transitive use with 'o seu tempo'.

1

A burocracia excessiva costuma atrasar o crescimento das empresas.

Excessive bureaucracy usually delays company growth.

Abstract transitive use.

2

Caso a encomenda se atrase, entre em contato conosco.

In case the order is delayed, please contact us.

Subjunctive 'atrase' after 'Caso'.

3

O palestrante se atrasou, o que causou um certo desconforto na plateia.

The speaker was late, which caused some discomfort in the audience.

Relative clause 'o que causou'.

4

Atrasar o pagamento das contas pode gerar multas pesadas.

Delaying the payment of bills can result in heavy fines.

Gerund-like use of infinitive as subject.

5

Ninguém previu que a obra fosse atrasar tanto.

No one predicted that the construction would be so delayed.

Imperfect subjunctive 'fosse atrasar'.

6

Ela se atrasou propositalmente para chamar a atenção.

She was late on purpose to draw attention.

Adverb 'propositalmente' modifying the verb.

7

O mau tempo pode atrasar a colheita em várias semanas.

Bad weather can delay the harvest by several weeks.

Modal 'pode' + infinitive.

8

O sistema está atrasando o processamento dos dados.

The system is slowing down the data processing.

Present continuous 'está atrasando'.

1

A crise política acabou por atrasar as reformas estruturais necessárias.

The political crisis ended up delaying the necessary structural reforms.

Periphrastic construction 'acabou por atrasar'.

2

Seria imprudente atrasar a decisão por mais tempo.

It would be imprudent to delay the decision any longer.

Conditional 'seria' + infinitive subject.

3

O desenvolvimento cognitivo pode se atrasar em ambientes pouco estimulantes.

Cognitive development can be delayed in unstimulating environments.

Reflexive used for biological/psychological processes.

4

Embora tenha se atrasado, ele apresentou um trabalho impecável.

Although he was late, he presented an impeccable piece of work.

Concessive clause with 'Embora' + compound subjunctive.

5

Não permitiremos que fatores externos atrasem o nosso cronograma.

We will not allow external factors to delay our schedule.

Subjunctive 'atrasem' after 'permitiremos que'.

6

Atrasar-se tornou-se um hábito inaceitável para o novo diretor.

Being late became an unacceptable habit for the new director.

Pronominal infinitive as a noun phrase.

7

A falha no satélite atrasou a transmissão do sinal de televisão.

The satellite failure delayed the transmission of the television signal.

Technical transitive use.

8

O autor decidiu atrasar o lançamento do livro para revisar o final.

The author decided to delay the book launch to revise the ending.

Intentional transitive delay.

1

A inércia institucional tende a atrasar a implementação de novas tecnologias.

Institutional inertia tends to delay the implementation of new technologies.

Academic/Sociological context.

2

Por mais que tentasse, não conseguia evitar que as memórias se atrasassem em sua mente.

As much as he tried, he couldn't prevent memories from lagging in his mind.

Literary/Figurative use.

3

Atrasar o inevitável é apenas uma forma de prolongar o sofrimento.

Delaying the inevitable is just a way of prolonging suffering.

Philosophical abstraction.

4

O relógio biológico daquela espécie parece ter se atrasado em relação às outras.

The biological clock of that species seems to have lagged behind the others.

Scientific/Evolutionary context.

5

Qualquer tentativa de atrasar o processo jurídico será punida severamente.

Any attempt to delay the legal process will be severely punished.

Legal/Formal register.

6

As nuances da língua permitem que o verbo atrasar denote tanto falha quanto estratégia.

The nuances of the language allow the verb 'atrasar' to denote both failure and strategy.

Metalinguistic commentary.

7

Houve quem dissesse que ele se atrasara propositadamente para o duelo.

There were those who said he had been late on purpose for the duel.

Use of the Pluperfect (Mais-que-perfeito) 'atrasara'.

8

Atrasar a resposta foi uma manobra calculada para ganhar tempo nas negociações.

Delaying the response was a calculated maneuver to gain time in negotiations.

Strategic business/diplomatic context.

よく使う組み合わせ

atrasar o relógio
atrasar o pagamento
atrasar a entrega
atrasar o lado
atrasar a vida
voo atrasado
atrasar o cronograma
atrasar o passo
atrasar a menstruação
atrasar o serviço

よく使うフレーズ

Vou me atrasar.

— I am going to be late. Used as a warning to someone waiting.

Vou me atrasar dez minutos, pode começar sem mim.

O trem atrasou.

— The train was late. A statement of fact about transport.

O trem atrasou meia hora por causa da neve.

Desculpe o atraso.

— Sorry for the delay. A standard apology for being late.

Desculpe o atraso, o trânsito estava horrível.

Sem atrasos.

— Without delays. Used to specify punctuality.

O evento deve começar pontualmente às oito, sem atrasos.

Estar com atraso.

— To be running late. Used for both people and events.

A obra está com atraso de dois meses.

Recuperar o atraso.

— To catch up. Used when trying to get back on schedule.

Precisamos trabalhar mais para recuperar o atraso.

Atraso de vida.

— A setback or something that hinders progress.

Essa burocracia é um verdadeiro atraso de vida.

Não atrase!

— Don't be late! A direct command.

Amanhã temos uma reunião importante. Não atrase!

Atrasar o expediente.

— To stay late at work or delay the end of the shift.

Essa reunião de última hora vai atrasar o expediente.

Atrasar o lado de alguém.

— To hinder someone's progress or make things difficult for them.

Ele vive tentando atrasar o lado dos colegas.

よく混同される語

atrasar vs demorar

Demorar is about duration; atrasar is about missing a specific time.

atrasar vs adiar

Adiar is an intentional postponement; atrasar is often an accidental delay.

atrasar vs tarde

Tarde is an adverb/noun; atrasar is the verb action.

慣用句と表現

"Atrasar o lado"

— In Brazilian slang, this means to get in someone's way or hinder their progress.

Não venha atrasar o meu lado com esses problemas.

Slang
"Comer bola"

— While not using the word 'atrasar', it often leads to it—meaning to make a mistake or be oblivious, causing a delay.

Eu comi bola e acabei me atrasando para o compromisso.

Informal
"Ficar para trás"

— To be left behind, often a consequence of 'atrasar'.

Se você se atrasar muito, vai ficar para trás.

Neutral
"Perder o bonde"

— To miss the opportunity (or the literal transport) because of a delay.

Ele se atrasou tanto que acabou perdendo o bonde da história.

Idiomatic
"Dar um bolo"

— To stand someone up. Often the extreme result of being very late.

Ele se atrasou tanto que acabou me dando um bolo.

Informal
"Estar nas últimas"

— To be at the very end or running extremely late/out of time.

O prazo está nas últimas e o projeto está atrasado.

Informal
"Pisar no freio"

— To slow things down (similar to retardar/atrasar a process).

O governo decidiu pisar no freio e atrasar as mudanças.

Metaphorical
"Fazer hora"

— To kill time, which often leads to 'atrasar-se' for the next thing.

Eles ficaram fazendo hora no bar e se atrasaram para o show.

Informal
"Empurrar com a barriga"

— To procrastinate or delay a solution to a problem.

Eles estão empurrando o conserto com a barriga e atrasando tudo.

Informal
"Marcar bobeira"

— To be careless, often leading to being late.

Não marque bobeira ou vai se atrasar para o voo.

Informal

間違えやすい

atrasar vs demorar

Both relate to time being 'more' than expected.

Atrasar is missing a deadline. Demorar is taking a long time.

O filme demorou (lasted long), mas começou atrasado (started late).

atrasar vs adiantar

Opposite meanings regarding time adjustment.

Atrasar is to go back/behind. Adiantar is to go forward/ahead.

Atrase o relógio no outono, adiante no verão.

atrasar vs atrás

Phonetically similar and etymologically related.

Atrás is a preposition (behind). Atrasar is the verb (to delay).

Ele está atrás da porta porque se atrasou.

atrasar vs tardar

Similar meaning 'to be late'.

Tardar is more formal/literary. Atrasar is everyday usage.

Não tardará a chegar (It won't be long) vs O ônibus atrasou.

atrasar vs retardar

Synonyms.

Retardar is usually for processes (aging, reactions). Atrasar is for schedules.

O gelo retardou a reação.

文型パターン

A1

Eu estou atrasado(a).

Eu estou atrasada para o médico.

A1

O [Subject] está atrasado.

O ônibus está atrasado.

A2

Eu me atrasei para [Event].

Eu me atrasei para a festa.

A2

[Subject] atrasou o [Object].

O trânsito atrasou o meu dia.

B1

Se [Subject] atrasar, [Result].

Se o voo atrasar, perderemos a conexão.

B1

Não quero atrasar o [Object].

Não quero atrasar o seu trabalho.

B2

Atrasar o [Noun] pode [Consequence].

Atrasar o pagamento pode gerar multas.

C1

Acabou por atrasar o [Object].

A chuva acabou por atrasar a colheita.

語族

名詞

atraso (delay)
atrasado (late person)

動詞

atrasar (to delay)

形容詞

atrasado (late/delayed)
atrasadinho (slightly late - diminutive)

関連

atrás (behind)
traseiro (rear)
atraso de vida (setback)
atraso mental (mental retardation - medical)
retroceder (to go back)

使い方

frequency

Very high in daily life, especially regarding transport and social meetings.

よくある間違い
  • Eu atrasei para a aula. Eu me atrasei para a aula.

    Missing the reflexive pronoun when a person is late.

  • O relógio está tarde. O relógio está atrasado.

    Using 'tarde' (afternoon/late conceptually) instead of 'atrasado' (slow/behind).

  • A viagem atrasou duas horas. A viagem demorou duas horas.

    If the trip took longer than expected, use 'demorar'. If it started late, use 'atrasar'.

  • Eu sou atrasado. Eu estou atrasado.

    Using 'ser' instead of 'estar' for a temporary state.

  • Eu atrasei a reunião para amanhã. Eu adiei a reunião para amanhã.

    Using 'atrasar' for an intentional postponement to a different day.

ヒント

Reflexive Rule

Always use 'me, te, se, nos' when a person is late. 'Eu me atrasei' is the standard way to apologize.

Atrasar vs. Demorar

Remember: Atrasar = late for a specific time. Demorar = taking a long time.

Social Lateness

In Brazil, 'atrasar' 15 minutes is often not considered 'atrasar' at all in social contexts.

Think 'Atrás'

Connect the verb to 'atrás' (behind) to remember it means falling behind schedule.

The 'Z' Sound

The 's' in atrasar is between two vowels, so it must sound like a 'z', not an 's'.

Transportation

Check airport screens for 'Atrasado'. It's the most common word you'll see there.

Formal Contexts

In formal letters, prefer 'retardar' or 'postergar' if you want to sound more professional.

Arthur's Delay

Arthur + atrasar. Arthur was late because he atrasou.

Don't say 'Eu sou tarde'

This is a direct translation from English that doesn't work. Use 'Estou atrasado'.

Public Announcements

Announcements often use 'vai atrasar' (will be late) to sound less definitive than 'está atrasado'.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'atrasar' as 'at-the-rear'. If you are 'atrasar-ing', you are at the rear of the schedule.

視覚的連想

Imagine a clock with its hands being pulled back by a heavy weight labeled 'ATRASAR'.

Word Web

atrás atraso relógio tempo demora adiantar chegar esperar

チャレンジ

Try to use 'atrasar' in three different ways today: once for yourself being late, once for a transport delay, and once for a project deadline.

語源

From the Portuguese word 'atrás' (behind), which comes from the Latin 'ad trans' (across/beyond).

元の意味: To put behind or to move back.

Romance (Latin-based).

文化的な背景

Be careful when using 'atraso' in medical or developmental contexts (e.g., 'atraso mental'), as it can be offensive if not used professionally.

English speakers might say 'I am late,' but Portuguese speakers prefer 'Eu me atrasei' (I delayed myself) or 'Estou atrasado' (I am in a state of delay).

The song 'Atrasadinha' by Felipe Araújo (a famous Brazilian sertanejo hit). Portuguese news often features 'atrasos na CP' (train delays in Portugal). Common trope in Brazilian soap operas (telenovelas) where a wedding is 'atrasado'.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Public Transport

  • O voo atrasou?
  • Trem com atraso.
  • Desculpe, o ônibus atrasou.
  • Atraso previsto.

Work/Business

  • Atrasar o prazo.
  • O projeto está atrasado.
  • Não podemos atrasar.
  • Atraso na produção.

Social Life

  • Vou me atrasar.
  • Não se atrase!
  • Desculpe o atraso.
  • Ele sempre se atrasa.

Financial

  • Atrasar o aluguel.
  • Pagamento atrasado.
  • Multa por atraso.
  • Atrasar as contas.

Medical

  • Menstruação atrasada.
  • Consulta atrasada.
  • Atraso no desenvolvimento.
  • O médico se atrasou.

会話のきっかけ

"Você costuma se atrasar para seus compromissos?"

"O que você faz quando o seu voo está atrasado?"

"Você já se atrasou para uma entrevista de emprego?"

"O que mais costuma atrasar o seu dia a dia?"

"Como você reage quando alguém se atrasa para um encontro?"

日記のテーマ

Escreva sobre uma vez que você se atrasou e algo engraçado ou importante aconteceu.

Como você se sente quando o transporte público atrasa?

Descreva a sua rotina para nunca se atrasar.

Você acha que a cultura do seu país valoriza a pontualidade ou aceita o atraso?

Escreva um diálogo pedindo desculpas por atrasar um projeto importante.

よくある質問

10 問

No. You should use 'estar' because being late is a temporary state. Say 'Eu estou atrasado'.

Use 'atrasar' when something else is delayed (The rain delayed the bus). Use 'atrasar-se' when a person is late (I was late).

You say 'O relógio está atrasado'.

Yes, it is common to say 'A menstruação está atrasada'.

It is an idiom for something that hinders your progress or is a waste of time.

It is a regular -ar verb: eu atrasei, você atrasou, nós atrasamos, eles atrasaram.

Yes, but 'adiar' is more common for intentional rescheduling.

Both are correct. 'Me atrasar' is common in Brazil; 'atrasar-me' is standard in Portugal.

The noun is 'atraso'.

Usually, we use 'lento' or 'travando', but you can say 'O sistema está atrasando o trabalho'.

自分をテスト 180 問

writing

Translate: 'I am late for the meeting.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'The bus was late because of the rain.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'Don't be late tonight.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'I need to set my watch back.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'The payment is delayed.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Write a sentence using 'atrasar-se' in the past tense.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Write a sentence using 'atrasar' as a transitive verb.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'Sorry for being late.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'The flight will be delayed 20 minutes.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Write a sentence with 'atraso de vida'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'We were late for the party.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'She is always late.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'The system is slowing down the work.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'If the train is late, I will call you.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Write an apology email subject line about a delay.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'The clock is five minutes slow.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'Why did you delay the project?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'I don't want to be late again.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'The students were late for class.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
writing

Translate: 'The construction is delayed.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Eu me atrasei.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'O voo está atrasado.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Não se atrase!'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Desculpe o atraso.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'O ônibus vai atrasar.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Vou me atrasar um pouco.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'O relógio está atrasado.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Nós nos atrasamos.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Por que você se atrasou?'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'O pagamento está atrasado.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'A chuva atrasou tudo.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Não atrase o trabalho.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Sempre me atraso.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'O trem atrasou muito.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Recuperar o atraso.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Atrasar o relógio.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Vou me atrasar dez minutos.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'A consulta atrasou.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Atraso de vida.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
speaking

Say: 'Eles se atrasaram.'

Read this aloud:

正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'O voo atrasou.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'Me atrasei.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'Não se atrase.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'Relógio atrasado.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'Desculpe o atraso.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'O trem vai atrasar.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'Atrasamos o projeto.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'Sempre se atrasa.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'Pagamento atrasado.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'Vou me atrasar um pouco.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'A chuva atrasou o jogo.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'O ônibus está atrasado.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'Não atrase!'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'Atraso de vida.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:
listening

Listen and write: 'Eles se atrasaram ontem.'

正解! おしい! 正解:
正解! おしい! 正解:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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