Terlambat datang
Arrive late
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'terlambat datang' to politely explain that you've arrived after the scheduled time in any setting.
- Means: Arriving late or not being on time for an event.
- Used in: Work, school, meetings, and social gatherings.
- Don't confuse: Don't use 'lambat' (slow) alone; you need 'terlambat' for 'late'.
Explanation at your level:
뜻
Not being on time
문화적 배경
The concept of 'Jam Karet' (Rubber Time) means that social events often start later than scheduled. However, for formal business, punctuality is increasingly expected. Traffic (macet) is the most common and socially accepted reason for being 'terlambat datang'. It is often used even when it's not the real reason. In traditional Javanese culture, being late is sometimes handled with extreme politeness and 'basa-basi' (small talk) to avoid shame (malu). Tech companies in Indonesia (like Gojek or Tokopedia) follow international standards where 'terlambat datang' is discouraged.
The 'Macet' Excuse
If you are late in Jakarta, just say 'Maaf, macet.' It is the most accepted excuse and usually ends the conversation politely.
Don't use 'Lambat'
Remember, 'Saya lambat' means 'I am a slow person.' Always use 'terlambat' for time.
뜻
Not being on time
The 'Macet' Excuse
If you are late in Jakarta, just say 'Maaf, macet.' It is the most accepted excuse and usually ends the conversation politely.
Don't use 'Lambat'
Remember, 'Saya lambat' means 'I am a slow person.' Always use 'terlambat' for time.
Formal Apologies
In a formal email, use 'Mohon maaf atas keterlambatan saya' (I apologize for my lateness) instead of the simple phrase.
Social Buffer
For social parties, arriving 15 minutes 'terlambat' is often more polite than arriving exactly on time.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the blank with the correct word.
Maaf, saya _______ datang karena jalanan macet.
'Terlambat' is the correct form for being late in terms of time.
Which sentence is the most natural way to apologize to a teacher?
Choose the best option:
This option is polite and uses the correct collocation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kenapa kamu baru sampai? B: Kereta api _______ datang satu jam.
The context implies the train was late.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You woke up at 8:00 AM for a 7:30 AM class.
'Kesiangan' is specifically for being late due to oversleeping.
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시각 학습 자료
Terlambat vs. Telat
자주 묻는 질문
14 질문Yes, you can drop 'datang' if the context of arrival is already clear. 'Saya terlambat' is very common.
It's not rude, but it is informal. Use it with friends, but avoid it with your boss or elders.
The opposite is 'datang tepat waktu' (arriving on time).
You say 'Saya terlambat datang lima menit.'
For a deadline, it's better to say 'terlambat mengumpulkan' (late to submit).
The 'ter-' prefix often indicates a state or an accidental action, making the lateness sound less intentional.
Yes, especially in social settings, but in professional Jakarta, it is becoming less acceptable.
Use the specific word 'kesiangan'.
No, never. Use 'almarhum' or 'mendiang' for deceased people.
Say 'Jangan terlambat datang.'
Yes, it's just an inversion. 'Terlambat datang' is slightly more common as a collocation.
No, use 'lambat' or 'lemot' (slang) for a slow computer.
Say 'Mohon maaf, saya terlambat datang.'
In Indonesia, it is very common and usually expected for guests to arrive late to a wedding reception.
관련 표현
Tepat waktu
contrastOn time
Kesiangan
specialized formLate because of oversleeping
Telat
synonymLate (informal)
Molor
similarDelayed/Stretched
Datang awal
contrastArrive early
어디서 쓸까?
Arriving late to class
Student: Permisi Pak, maaf saya terlambat datang.
Teacher: Ya, silakan masuk. Jangan diulangi lagi ya.
Meeting a friend at a cafe
Friend A: Lama banget! Kenapa telat?
Friend B: Sorry, gue terlambat datang gara-gara susah cari parkir.
Job Interview
Candidate: Saya mohon maaf sebesar-besarnya karena terlambat datang.
Interviewer: Tidak apa-apa, silakan duduk. Mari kita mulai.
Waiting for a bus
Passenger A: Busnya kok belum ada ya?
Passenger B: Sepertinya busnya terlambat datang karena hujan.
Doctor's Appointment
Patient: Apakah saya masih bisa periksa? Saya terlambat datang.
Nurse: Bisa, tapi Anda harus menunggu sebentar ya.
Online Meeting
Host: Halo Budi, baru bergabung?
Budi: Iya, maaf saya terlambat datang. Ada masalah koneksi internet.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Terlambat' as 'Too Late' (both start with T). 'Datang' sounds like 'The Tang' (the arrival).
Visual Association
Imagine a person running towards a closing door while a giant clock in the background shows 9:05 for a 9:00 meeting.
Rhyme
Jangan lambat, nanti terlambat!
Story
Budi wanted to be on time, but his alarm didn't ring. He woke up 'kesiangan', ran to the bus, but the bus was 'terlambat datang' because of 'macet'. He finally arrived at school and said, 'Maaf, saya terlambat datang.'
Word Web
챌린지
Try to use 'terlambat datang' in a sentence today to explain why you were late for something, even if you weren't actually late!
In Other Languages
Llegar tarde
Indonesian uses a prefix 'ter-' to indicate the state of being late.
Arriver en retard
French requires the preposition 'en', while Indonesian is a direct collocation.
Zu spät kommen
German uses 'kommen' (come), similar to Indonesian 'datang'.
遅れて来る (Okurete kuru)
Japanese has much stricter social consequences for 'okurete kuru' than the Indonesian 'jam karet' culture.
الوصول متأخراً (Al-wusul muta'akhiran)
Arabic uses different roots for 'slow' and 'late', unlike Indonesian which shares the root 'lambat'.
迟到 (Chídào)
Chinese is more concise (two syllables), whereas Indonesian is more descriptive.
늦게 오다 (Neutge oda)
Korean requires specific honorifics depending on who you are apologizing to for being late.
Chegar atrasado
Indonesian 'terlambat' is linked to 'slowness', while Portuguese 'atrasado' is linked to 'behindness'.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'lambat' to mean 'late'.
Use 'lambat' for speed (slow car) and 'terlambat' for time (late person).
Both relate to time.
'Lama' means 'a long time' (duration), while 'terlambat' is a point in time (lateness).
자주 묻는 질문 (14)
Yes, you can drop 'datang' if the context of arrival is already clear. 'Saya terlambat' is very common.
It's not rude, but it is informal. Use it with friends, but avoid it with your boss or elders.
The opposite is 'datang tepat waktu' (arriving on time).
You say 'Saya terlambat datang lima menit.'
For a deadline, it's better to say 'terlambat mengumpulkan' (late to submit).
The 'ter-' prefix often indicates a state or an accidental action, making the lateness sound less intentional.
Yes, especially in social settings, but in professional Jakarta, it is becoming less acceptable.
Use the specific word 'kesiangan'.
No, never. Use 'almarhum' or 'mendiang' for deceased people.
Say 'Jangan terlambat datang.'
Yes, it's just an inversion. 'Terlambat datang' is slightly more common as a collocation.
No, use 'lambat' or 'lemot' (slang) for a slow computer.
Say 'Mohon maaf, saya terlambat datang.'
In Indonesia, it is very common and usually expected for guests to arrive late to a wedding reception.
