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늦어지다

A1 verb #3,000 most common 10 min read

늦어지다

neujeojida Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 늦어지다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 늦어지다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to talk about time and daily schedules. The word 늦어지다 might seem a bit long, but it is very useful. You can think of it as a way to say 'getting late.' For example, if you are playing with friends and you see the sun going down, you can say '시간이 늦어졌어요' (Time has gotten late). This is a simple way to use the word. At this level, you should focus on the basic past tense form '늦어졌어요' and the future form '늦어질 거예요'. You might use it to explain why you are not home yet: '일이 늦어졌어요' (My work got late/delayed). Don't worry too much about the complex grammar yet; just remember that 늦어지다 is used when a thing (like work, time, or a bus) is late, whereas 늦다 is often used for people. If you can use this word to make a simple excuse or describe the evening, you are doing great! Practice saying '늦어져서 미안해요' (Sorry for being late/delayed) to your friends. It is a very common and polite phrase that will make you sound more like a native speaker even at this early stage of your learning journey.

At the A2 level, you are beginning to connect ideas and give reasons for things. This is where 늦어지다 becomes very helpful for explaining situations. You can start using the '-(으)니까' or '-아서/어서' endings to explain *why* something is delayed. For example, '버스가 늦어져서 학교에 늦었어요' (Because the bus was delayed, I was late for school). Notice how 늦어지다 describes the bus, and 늦다 describes you. This is a key distinction at this level. You will also hear this word in public places like the subway or bus stops. When you hear '열차가 늦어지고 있습니다,' you will know that the train is running late. You should also practice using it with nouns like '요리' (cooking) or '숙제' (homework). If someone asks why dinner isn't ready, you can say '요리가 조금 늦어지고 있어요' (The cooking is taking a bit longer/getting delayed). This shows you understand that the process is taking more time than you thought. At the A2 level, try to use 늦어지다 in sentences with at least one reason or detail to make your Korean sound more complete and natural.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 늦어지다 in a variety of social and semi-professional contexts. You can now use it to describe more abstract delays, such as '결정이 늦어지다' (the decision is being delayed) or '답장이 늦어지다' (the reply is being delayed). This level requires you to understand the nuance of the '-어지다' suffix as a marker of 'becoming' or 'getting.' You might use the word to talk about trends or ongoing situations. For example, '요즘은 결혼 연령이 점점 늦어지고 있어요' (These days, the age of marriage is gradually getting later). This is a more advanced way to use the word to describe a societal shift. You should also be able to distinguish 늦어지다 from its Sino-Korean counterpart 지연되다. While you might use 지연되다 in a formal report, 늦어지다 is perfect for an email to a colleague or a conversation with your boss. Practice using adverbs like '생각보다' (than expected) or '의외로' (unexpectedly) to add detail to your sentences. For instance, '작업이 생각보다 늦어져서 걱정이에요' (I am worried because the work is taking longer than expected). This shows a higher level of expression and emotional range in your Korean.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 늦어지다 with precision and understand its role in passive constructions. You should be able to navigate complex sentences where multiple things are being delayed or where the delay has a ripple effect. For example, '원자재 공급이 늦어짐에 따라 완제품 생산도 함께 늦어지고 있습니다' (As the supply of raw materials is delayed, the production of finished goods is also being delayed). This level of sentence structure shows that you can handle logical flow and professional terminology. You should also be aware of the subtle difference between 늦어지다 and 미뤄지다. While 늦어지다 focuses on the time aspect, 미뤄지다 often implies a shift in the schedule or task list. At this level, you can use 늦어지다 to discuss complex topics like economic delays, policy implementation, or scientific results. You should also be comfortable with various grammatical connectors like '-음에도 불구하고' (despite) or '-는 바람에' (due to the unexpected situation). For example, '준비를 철저히 했음에도 불구하고 여러 요인으로 인해 일정이 늦어졌습니다' (Despite thorough preparation, the schedule was delayed due to various factors). This demonstrates a sophisticated command of the language.

At the C1 level, your use of 늦어지다 should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You understand the deep nuances of how this word interacts with different subjects and contexts. You can use it in literary or highly academic settings to describe the 'deepening' of time or the 'stagnation' of a process. For example, in a poetic context, '밤이 늦어질수록 별은 더 밝게 빛났다' (As the night grew later, the stars shone more brightly). Here, 늦어지다 is used to describe the progression of time in a way that sets a mood. In an academic sense, you might discuss '발달이 늦어지는 원인' (the causes of delayed development) in a psychology or education paper. You should also be able to use the word to express subtle social cues. For instance, using 늦어지다 in a negotiation to gently point out that time is running out without being too aggressive. You understand that the choice of 늦어지다 over 지연되다 can sometimes make an apology feel more heartfelt and less like a corporate excuse. Your ability to switch between these registers based on the listener and the environment is a hallmark of C1 proficiency.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 늦어지다 and its related forms. You can use it to articulate complex philosophical or sociological theories regarding time and delay. You might use it to critique modern society, perhaps discussing how '인간 소외 현상으로 인해 진정한 소통이 늦어지고 있다' (True communication is being delayed due to the phenomenon of human alienation). At this level, you can play with the word's connotations and use it in wordplay, metaphors, or high-level rhetoric. You are also fully aware of the historical etymology of the word and how its usage has evolved in different dialects or historical periods of the Korean language. You can easily handle any grammatical environment, including archaic or highly specialized endings. Whether you are writing a legal brief, a philosophical essay, or a screenplay, you use 늦어지다 with absolute confidence, ensuring it perfectly fits the tone and intent of your communication. You can also identify and correct the most subtle misuses of the word by others, providing detailed explanations of why a different word might be more appropriate in a given context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

늦어지다 in 30 Seconds

늦어지다 means 'to be delayed' or 'to get late,' focusing on the process of becoming late.
It is a verb formed by combining the adjective 'late' (늦다) with the 'become' ending (-어지다).
Commonly used for transportation, work tasks, official schedules, and the deepening of time (evening).
Distinguish it from '늦다' (to be late - state) and '늦추다' (to delay something - active).

The Korean verb 늦어지다 is a compound word that combines the adjective 늦다 (to be late) with the auxiliary verb ending -어지다, which signifies a change in state or a passive progression. While English often uses the phrase 'to be late' for both a person's status and a schedule's delay, Korean makes a distinct linguistic separation. 늦어지다 specifically describes the process of something becoming later than expected or a situation where a schedule is being pushed back due to external factors. It is the difference between saying 'I am late' (내가 늦었다) and 'The meeting is being delayed' (회의가 늦어지고 있다).

State vs. Process: While '늦다' describes a static state of being late, '늦어지다' describes the dynamic progression or the result of a delay. It is used when a timeline expands beyond its original boundaries.
External Influence: This word often implies that the delay is caused by circumstances outside of one's direct control, such as traffic, weather, or technical issues, making it a common choice for official announcements.
Temporal Expansion: It is frequently used with time-related nouns like '시간' (time), '날짜' (date), or '일정' (schedule) to indicate that these elements are stretching further into the future than intended.

This verb is essential for navigating daily life in Korea, especially in professional and public settings. If you are waiting for a subway in Seoul and there is a technical glitch, the announcement will use 늦어지다 to inform passengers that the arrival time is being pushed back. It carries a sense of 'becoming late' rather than just 'is late.' In a culture that values punctuality (the 'Palli-Palli' or 'hurry-hurry' culture), understanding how to describe delays accurately is crucial for maintaining social harmony and managing expectations.

폭설 때문에 비행기 이륙이 늦어지다. (The plane takeoff is being delayed due to heavy snow.)

퇴근 시간이 평소보다 늦어지다. (The finish time for work is getting later than usual.)

공사가 예상보다 늦어지다. (The construction is taking longer/being delayed more than expected.)

답장이 늦어지다서 죄송합니다. (I am sorry that my reply has been delayed/is late.)

결정이 늦어지다. (The decision is being delayed.)

In summary, 늦어지다 is the go-to verb for describing any situation where the clock is ticking past the intended mark. Whether it is a traffic jam, a complex project, or a simple change in plans, this word captures the essence of time slipping away. It provides a more nuanced way to discuss punctuality and scheduling than the simple adjective 'late' does in English. By using this word, you show an understanding of the relationship between cause, effect, and time in the Korean language.

Using 늦어지다 correctly involves understanding its conjugation and its role as a verb that describes a change. Because it ends in -지다, it follows the standard conjugation rules for verbs ending in -아/어지다. This means in the present tense, it becomes 늦어져요 (polite) or 늦어진다 (plain). In the past tense, it becomes 늦어졌어요 (polite) or 늦어졌다 (plain). The future tense is often expressed as 늦어질 거예요 or 늦어질 것입니다.

Expressing Causes: We often use the structure '(Noun) 때문에' (because of) or the '-아서/어서' (because/so) connector to explain why something is being delayed. For example: '비 때문에 출발이 늦어졌어요' (The departure was delayed because of the rain).
Predicting Delays: When you anticipate a delay, you use the future/conjecture form '-을 것 같다'. For instance: '오늘 일이 많아서 퇴근이 늦어질 것 같아요' (I think getting off work will be delayed because I have a lot of work today).
Adverbial Modifiers: Common adverbs used with this verb include '자꾸' (repeatedly), '점점' (gradually), and '생각보다' (than thought/expected). These help specify the nature of the delay.

One of the most common sentence patterns involves the noun 시간 (time). When you say '시간이 늦어지다', you are literally saying 'time is getting late.' This is used when an evening is progressing and you realize it is time to head home. Another frequent pattern is '일정이 늦어지다' (the schedule is being delayed), which is very common in office environments. It is important to remember that since 늦어지다 is an intransitive verb in this context, the subject (the thing being delayed) is usually marked with the particle -이/가.

회의가 예상보다 훨씬 늦어지고 있습니다. (The meeting is being delayed much more than expected.)

배송이 늦어져서 죄송합니다. (We apologize for the delayed delivery.)

수리가 조금 늦어질 수도 있어요. (The repair might be slightly delayed.)

Finally, consider the nuance of the '-어지다' ending. It often implies that a situation is evolving. If you say '밤이 늦어지다', it evokes the feeling of the night deepening. If you say '작업이 늦어지다', it describes the ongoing struggle with a task that is taking too long. This dynamic quality makes 늦어지다 a very descriptive and useful verb for any Korean learner aiming for natural-sounding speech.

You will encounter 늦어지다 in a variety of real-world scenarios in Korea, ranging from public transportation to social media. It is one of those 'high-frequency' words that appears in both formal announcements and casual chatter. Understanding where and how it is used will help you navigate Korean society more effectively.

Public Transportation: At subway stations or airports, you will frequently hear: '열차 진입이 늦어지고 있습니다' (The train entry is being delayed). This is the standard way to inform passengers about minor delays without using overly technical jargon.
Customer Service: Online shopping is massive in Korea. If a package is stuck, you will receive a notification saying: '택배 배송이 물량 증가로 인해 늦어지고 있습니다' (Parcel delivery is being delayed due to an increase in volume).
Social Gatherings: When a dinner party is going well but it is getting late, someone might say: '시간이 벌써 이렇게 늦어졌네요' (Time has already gotten this late). It is a polite way to signal that the gathering should wrap up.

In the workplace, 늦어지다 is used to manage deadlines. If a manager asks about a report, a staff member might say: '자료 수집이 늦어져서 오늘 안에는 힘들 것 같습니다' (Since the data collection is being delayed, I do not think it will be possible within today). This uses the word to explain a bottleneck in the workflow. It sounds much more professional than saying 'I am late with the report.'

[Subway Announcement] 차량 점검으로 인해 출발이 잠시 늦어지고 있습니다. (Departure is being briefly delayed due to vehicle inspection.)

[Text Message] 미안해, 회의가 늦어져서 조금만 더 기다려줘. (Sorry, the meeting is running late, so please wait just a bit longer.)

Whether you are listening to the news, reading an email from a Korean colleague, or simply walking through a busy street, you will hear 늦어지다. It is a word that captures the friction of modern life—the moments where things do not go exactly according to plan. By paying attention to how native speakers use it, you will gain a deeper understanding of the Korean concept of time and social responsibility.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning Korean is confusing 늦다 and 늦어지다. Because both are translated as 'to be late' in many English contexts, learners often use them interchangeably, which can lead to unnatural or even confusing sentences. Understanding the grammatical and semantic boundaries between these two is key to fluency.

Using '늦다' for Events: A common error is saying '기차가 늦었어요' (The train was late). While understandable, '기차가 늦어졌어요' (The train was delayed) is often better when describing a change in the schedule. '늦다' is more about the final state, while '늦어지다' emphasizes the delay itself.
Confusing with '늦추다': Learners sometimes use '늦어지다' when they mean they are intentionally delaying something. '늦어지다' is passive (it happens). If you are the one doing the delaying, you must use the causative verb '늦추다' (to delay/postpone something). For example: '약속 시간을 늦췄어요' (I delayed the appointment time).
Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement: You generally do not say '제가 늦어졌어요' to mean 'I am late.' Instead, you would say '제가 늦었어요.' Use '늦어지다' for the thing that is being delayed, such as your arrival (도착이 늦어졌어요) or your work (일이 늦어졌어요).

Another mistake involves the level of formality. While 늦어지다 is very common, in extremely formal documents or broadcast news, 지연되다 (to be delayed) is the preferred Sino-Korean term. Using 늦어지다 in a highly technical logistics report might sound slightly too informal, though it is not grammatically wrong. Conversely, using 지연되다 in a casual text to a friend might sound overly stiff and robotic.

Incorrect: 저는 10분 늦어질 거예요. (I will be delayed 10 minutes.)
Correct: 저는 10분 늦을 거예요. (I will be 10 minutes late.)

Incorrect: 회의를 늦어졌어요. (The meeting delayed - wrong particle).
Correct: 회의가 늦어졌어요. (The meeting was delayed.)

To avoid these mistakes, always ask yourself: Is this something that is *becoming* late or *getting* delayed? If so, use 늦어지다. If you are just stating that something is late as a simple fact, 늦다 is usually sufficient. And if you are the one pulling the strings to make something happen later, reach for 늦추다. Mastering these three will significantly improve your Korean accuracy.

Korean has several words that overlap with 늦어지다, each with its own specific nuance and register. Choosing the right one depends on the context, the formality of the situation, and whether the delay is intentional or accidental.

지연되다 (Delayed - Formal): This is the Sino-Korean equivalent of '늦어지다'. It is used in official announcements, news reports, and formal business contexts. For example: '기상 악화로 인해 열차가 지연되고 있습니다' (Trains are being delayed due to deteriorating weather conditions).
연기되다 (Postponed): While '늦어지다' implies things are just running late, '연기되다' means the event has been officially moved to a later date or time. If a concert is '늦어지다', it might start at 8:30 instead of 8:00. If it is '연기되다', it might be moved to next week.
미뤄지다 (Pushed back/Delayed - Native): This is a common, slightly more colloquial way to say something has been pushed back. It is often used for tasks, appointments, or plans. '숙제가 다음 주로 미뤄졌어요' (The homework was pushed back to next week).
체체되다 (Congested/Stagnated): Used specifically for traffic or the flow of goods/information. If traffic is '늦어지다', it's getting late because of it. If it is '정체되다', it is literally stuck or congested.

When deciding which word to use, consider the 'cause' and the 'result'. If you want to sound natural in a conversation about why you are late, 늦어지다 is usually the best choice. If you are writing a formal email to a client about a shipping delay, 지연되다 might be more professional. If you and your friends decided to meet later than planned, 미뤄지다 or 늦추다 would be appropriate.

Comparison:
1. 회의가 늦어지다 (The meeting is running late - situational).
2. 회의가 지연되다 (The meeting is delayed - formal announcement).
3. 회의가 연기되다 (The meeting is postponed - rescheduled).

By understanding these alternatives, you can fine-tune your Korean to match the specific situation you are in. It allows you to express not just the fact of a delay, but also its nature and the level of formality required. This is a significant step toward achieving upper-intermediate and advanced levels of Korean proficiency.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The suffix '-어지다' is one of the most productive tools in the Korean language for turning descriptive adjectives into active verbs that describe a change in condition.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /nɯdʑʌdʑida/

US /nɯdʑʌdʑida/

The primary stress is on the second syllable 'eo', as it marks the beginning of the auxiliary verb component.

Rhymes With

밝아지다 (balg-ajida) 멀어지다 (meol-eojida) 길어지다 (gil-eojida) 젊어지다 (jeolm-eojida) 작아지다 (jag-ajida) 커지다 (keojida) 좋아지다 (joh-ajida) 나빠지다 (nappa-jida)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'eu' as 'oo' (like 'noo-jeo-ji-da'). It should be 'neu'.
Over-aspirating the 'j' sound.
Merging the 'eo' and 'ji' sounds too quickly without clear articulation.
Treating it as four separate words instead of one fluid verb.
Misplacing the stress on the first syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize the root '늦' and the common ending '-어지다'.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct spelling of the compound and proper conjugation.

Speaking 2/5

Flows naturally once the '-어지다' pattern is mastered.

Listening 2/5

Common in public announcements, easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

늦다 (to be late) 시간 (time) 지다 (to become/fall) 오다 (to come) 가다 (to go)

Learn Next

지연되다 (formal delay) 미뤄지다 (to be pushed back) 연기하다 (to postpone) 서두르다 (to hurry) 일정 (schedule)

Advanced

유예하다 (to grant a stay) 체체 (congestion) 방치하다 (to neglect/leave as is) 속개하다 (to resume after delay)

Grammar to Know

-어지다 (To become/get)

날씨가 추워지다. (The weather gets cold.)

-아서/어서 (Because)

길이 막혀서 늦어졌어요. (I was delayed because the road was blocked.)

-을 것 같다 (Seems/I think)

일이 늦어질 것 같아요. (I think the work will be delayed.)

-는 바람에 (Due to an unexpected event)

사고가 나는 바람에 도착이 늦어졌어요. (Because an accident happened, the arrival was delayed.)

-기 마련이다 (Naturally/Bound to be)

준비가 부족하면 늦어지기 마련이다. (If preparation is lacking, it is bound to be delayed.)

Examples by Level

시간이 늦어졌어요.

Time has gotten late.

Simple past tense of 늦어지다.

일이 늦어졌어요.

Work got late/delayed.

Subject '일' (work) with past tense.

버스가 늦어져요.

The bus is being delayed.

Present tense indicating an ongoing delay.

도착이 늦어질 거예요.

The arrival will be delayed.

Future tense '-을 거예요'.

답장이 늦어져서 미안해요.

I am sorry for the delayed reply.

Using '-아서' to give a reason for an apology.

밤이 늦어졌어요.

The night has gotten late.

Subject '밤' (night) used with 늦어지다.

기차가 조금 늦어져요.

The train is a little delayed.

Adverb '조금' (a little) modifying the verb.

약속이 늦어졌어요.

The appointment/plan got delayed.

Subject '약속' (appointment/promise).

비가 와서 출발이 늦어졌어요.

The departure was delayed because it rained.

'-아서' used to indicate a cause.

차가 막혀서 도착이 늦어질 것 같아요.

I think the arrival will be delayed because the traffic is blocked.

'-을 것 같다' for expressing a guess or prediction.

요리가 생각보다 늦어지고 있어요.

The cooking is taking longer than expected.

'-고 있다' for progressive action.

숙제가 늦어져서 잠을 못 잤어요.

Because my homework was delayed, I couldn't sleep.

Past tense result of a delay.

회의가 길어져서 퇴근이 늦어졌어요.

The finish time for work was delayed because the meeting went long.

Combined with '길어지다' (to become long).

배송이 늦어지면 연락해 주세요.

If the delivery is delayed, please contact me.

'-면' for a conditional statement.

준비가 늦어져서 미안합니다.

I am sorry that the preparation is delayed.

Subject '준비' (preparation).

점심 식사가 평소보다 늦어졌어요.

Lunch was later than usual.

'평소보다' (than usual) comparison.

자료 조사가 늦어져서 보고서 작성이 안 끝났어요.

The report writing isn't finished because the data research was delayed.

More complex subject '자료 조사' (data research).

요즘은 취업이 늦어지는 청년들이 많아요.

These days, there are many young people whose employment is being delayed.

Noun-modifying form '늦어지는'.

갑작스러운 사고로 인해 열차 진입이 늦어지고 있습니다.

Train entry is being delayed due to a sudden accident.

'-로 인해' (due to) formal cause indicator.

결과 발표가 늦어지니까 사람들이 불안해해요.

Since the announcement of the results is being delayed, people are anxious.

'-니까' for giving a reason.

공사가 늦어지는 바람에 입주 날짜가 바뀌었어요.

Due to the construction being delayed, the move-in date changed.

'-는 바람에' for an unexpected negative cause.

시스템 점검이 예상보다 늦어질 수 있습니다.

System inspection might be delayed more than expected.

'-을 수 있다' for possibility.

답장이 늦어진 점 너그럽게 양해 부탁드립니다.

We ask for your generous understanding regarding the delayed reply.

Formal request for understanding.

수술이 늦어져서 가족들이 걱정하고 있어요.

The family is worried because the surgery is being delayed.

Describing a sensitive situational delay.

부품 수급이 늦어짐에 따라 신제품 출시가 연기되었습니다.

As the supply of parts is delayed, the launch of the new product has been postponed.

'-함에 따라' (according to/as a result of).

심사가 늦어지는 이유를 구체적으로 설명해 주세요.

Please explain specifically the reason why the screening is being delayed.

Asking for a specific reason for a process delay.

날씨가 추워지면서 개화 시기가 예년보다 늦어지고 있습니다.

As the weather gets colder, the flowering season is getting later than in previous years.

Describing natural phenomena with '늦어지다'.

행정 절차가 늦어지면서 민원인들의 불만이 커지고 있습니다.

As administrative procedures are delayed, complaints from citizens are growing.

Using '-면서' to show simultaneous actions.

자금 지원이 늦어지면 프로젝트 자체가 무산될 위기에 처합니다.

If funding is delayed, the project itself faces the risk of being cancelled.

Expressing a high-stakes conditional result.

소통의 부재로 인해 의사결정이 자꾸만 늦어지고 있어요.

Decision-making is repeatedly being delayed due to a lack of communication.

Adverb '자꾸만' emphasizing repetition.

공급망 혼란으로 인해 물류 배송이 전반적으로 늦어지고 있습니다.

Due to supply chain disruptions, logistics delivery is being delayed overall.

Professional terminology (supply chain, logistics).

작업이 늦어질 것을 대비해서 미리 야근을 계획했습니다.

In preparation for the work being delayed, I planned overtime in advance.

'-을 것을 대비해서' (in preparation for).

기술적 한계로 인해 인류의 우주 탐사 계획이 예상보다 늦어지고 있다.

Due to technical limitations, humanity's space exploration plans are being delayed more than expected.

Academic/Journalistic tone.

사회의 고령화가 진행됨에 따라 은퇴 시기도 점차 늦어지는 추세이다.

As the aging of society progresses, there is a trend where the retirement age is gradually getting later.

Describing sociological trends.

정치적 갈등이 심화되면서 법안 처리가 기약 없이 늦어지고 있습니다.

As political conflict intensifies, the processing of the bill is being delayed indefinitely.

'기약 없이' (indefinitely/without a set date).

아이의 언어 발달이 또래보다 늦어지는 것 같아 부모의 걱정이 크다.

Parents are very worried because their child's language development seems to be later than their peers.

Specialized context (developmental delay).

근본적인 원인 해결이 늦어질수록 사회적 비용은 눈덩이처럼 불어날 것이다.

The more the resolution of the fundamental cause is delayed, the more the social cost will snowball.

'-을수록' (the more... the more...).

밤이 늦어질수록 도시는 더욱 화려한 불빛으로 옷을 갈아입었다.

As the night grew later, the city changed into clothes of even more brilliant lights.

Literary/Metaphorical usage.

신약 개발 과정에서 임상 시험이 늦어지는 것은 흔히 발생하는 일이다.

It is a common occurrence for clinical trials to be delayed during the drug development process.

Nominalized subject '늦어지는 것'.

환경 규제가 강화되면서 공장 가동 시점이 늦어지게 되었다.

As environmental regulations were strengthened, the timing of factory operation came to be delayed.

'-게 되다' to show a result of external circumstances.

구조적 모순을 타파하려는 노력이 늦어질수록 국가의 존립 자체가 위태로워질 수 있다.

The more efforts to break down structural contradictions are delayed, the more the very existence of the state may be endangered.

High-level political discourse.

진실의 규명이 늦어지는 사이, 피해자들의 고통은 가중되어만 갔다.

While the clarification of the truth was being delayed, the suffering of the victims only increased.

Narrative focus on the consequence of delay.

역사적 과업의 완수가 늦어지는 것은 단순히 시간의 문제라기보다 의지의 문제일 때가 많다.

The delay in completing a historical task is often a matter of will rather than simply a matter of time.

Philosophical comparison.

기술의 진보가 윤리적 성찰보다 앞서 나갈 때, 인류의 재앙은 늦어지지 않고 다가올 것이다.

When technological progress outpaces ethical reflection, humanity's disaster will approach without delay (not being delayed).

Using the negative '늦어지지 않고' for rhetorical effect.

문화적 동화 과정이 늦어지면서 사회 구성원 간의 이질감이 심화되는 양상을 보인다.

As the process of cultural assimilation is delayed, it shows a pattern of deepening alienation among members of society.

Sociological analysis.

예술적 영감이 늦어질 때 작가가 느끼는 고뇌는 필설로 다 형언하기 어렵다.

The agony a writer feels when artistic inspiration is delayed is hard to describe in words.

Expressive/Literary tone.

사법 정의의 실현이 늦어지는 것은 정의를 부정하는 것과 다름없다는 격언이 있다.

There is a maxim that the delay in the realization of judicial justice is no different from denying justice.

Referencing legal maxims.

우주의 팽창 속도가 늦어질지 아니면 가속화될지는 현대 천문학의 최대 난제 중 하나이다.

Whether the expansion rate of the universe will slow down (be delayed) or accelerate is one of the biggest challenges in modern astronomy.

Scientific inquiry using the root concept of 'becoming late/slow'.

Common Collocations

시간이 늦어지다

도착이 늦어지다

배송이 늦어지다

답장이 늦어지다

일정이 늦어지다

결정이 늦어지다

발달이 늦어지다

공급이 늦어지다

발표가 늦어지다

퇴근이 늦어지다

Common Phrases

늦어져서 죄송합니다

— I am sorry for being delayed/late. This is the standard polite apology.

연락이 늦어져서 죄송합니다.

생각보다 늦어지다

— To take longer than one thought it would.

일이 생각보다 늦어지네요.

자꾸 늦어지다

— To keep getting delayed repeatedly.

출발 시간이 자꾸 늦어져요.

점점 늦어지다

— To gradually get later and later.

귀가 시간이 점점 늦어지고 있다.

조금 늦어질 것 같아요

— I think it will be slightly delayed. Used to manage expectations.

차가 막혀서 조금 늦어질 것 같아요.

일정이 늦어지다

— For a schedule to slip or be pushed back.

비 때문에 모든 일정이 늦어졌다.

밤이 늦어지다

— For it to become late at night.

밤이 늦어지니 날씨가 쌀쌀해졌다.

준비가 늦어지다

— For preparations to take longer than planned.

개업 준비가 생각보다 늦어지고 있다.

수리가 늦어지다

— For repairs to be delayed.

부품이 없어서 수리가 늦어지고 있어요.

처리가 늦어지다

— For processing (of documents/orders) to be delayed.

서류 처리가 늦어져서 죄송합니다.

Often Confused With

늦어지다 vs 늦다

늦다 is 'to be late' (state), while 늦어지다 is 'to get/become delayed' (process).

늦어지다 vs 늦추다

늦추다 is to intentionally delay something (active), whereas 늦어지다 is a passive delay (it happens).

늦어지다 vs 느리다

느리다 means 'to be slow' (speed), while 늦어지다 means 'to be late' (time).

Idioms & Expressions

"늦어지면 늦어질수록 손해다"

— The more it is delayed, the more of a loss it is. Used to emphasize the cost of procrastination.

수리는 늦어지면 늦어질수록 손해니까 빨리 하세요.

Casual/Proverbial

"발걸음이 늦어지다"

— Literally 'one's footsteps become late/slow.' Used to describe someone hesitating or walking slowly due to reluctance.

집에 가기 싫어서 발걸음이 자꾸 늦어졌다.

Literary

"시계가 늦어지다"

— For a clock to start losing time or running slow.

배터리가 없어서 시계가 자꾸 늦어진다.

Neutral

"세월이 늦어지다"

— A metaphorical way to say time feels like it is moving slowly or a certain era is lingering.

기다리는 사람에게는 세월이 늦어지는 법이다.

Poetic

"반응이 늦어지다"

— For a reaction or response to be delayed, often used in technical or sports contexts.

피로 때문에 반응이 늦어지면 사고가 날 수 있다.

Technical

"말문이 늦어지다"

— To be slow to start speaking or to have a delayed speech development.

그 아이는 다른 아이들보다 말문이 좀 늦어졌다.

Descriptive

"결실이 늦어지다"

— For efforts to take a long time to bear fruit or show results.

노력에 비해 결실이 늦어질 때가 있다.

Inspirational

"해거름이 늦어지다"

— For sunset to be late (common in summer).

여름이라 해거름이 많이 늦어졌다.

Descriptive

"발달이 늦어지다"

— To experience developmental delays.

언어 발달이 늦어지는 원인을 찾아야 한다.

Medical

"기약 없이 늦어지다"

— To be delayed indefinitely without a promise of when it will finish.

공사가 기약 없이 늦어지고 있어 주민들이 불편해한다.

Journalistic

Easily Confused

늦어지다 vs 지연되다

Both mean 'delayed'.

지연되다 is Sino-Korean and more formal; 늦어지다 is native Korean and sounds more natural in daily speech.

열차 지연 (Train delay) vs. 답장이 늦어지다 (Reply is late).

늦어지다 vs 연기되다

Both involve time moving back.

연기되다 means an event is rescheduled to a new time; 늦어지다 means it's just running late.

올림픽 연기 (Olympics postponed) vs. 경기 시작이 늦어지다 (Game start is delayed).

늦어지다 vs 미뤄지다

Both mean 'pushed back'.

미뤄지다 emphasizes the act of pushing a task or date to the future; 늦어지다 emphasizes the passage of time.

숙제가 미뤄지다 (Homework is pushed back) vs. 시간이 늦어지다 (Time is getting late).

늦어지다 vs 뒤처지다

Both involve being 'behind'.

뒤처지다 is about being behind others in progress or rank; 늦어지다 is about being behind a clock/schedule.

유행에 뒤처지다 (Behind the trend) vs. 도착이 늦어지다 (Arrival is late).

늦어지다 vs 더디다

Both relate to things taking long.

더디다 describes a slow pace of progress; 늦어지다 describes the resulting lateness in time.

걸음이 더디다 (Walk slowly) vs. 약속이 늦어지다 (Appointment is late).

Sentence Patterns

[Noun]이/가 늦어졌어요.

시간이 늦어졌어요.

[Reason] 때문에 [Noun]이/가 늦어졌어요.

비 때문에 출발이 늦어졌어요.

[Noun]이/가 생각보다 늦어지고 있어요.

작업이 생각보다 늦어지고 있어요.

[Noun]이/가 늦어지는 바람에 [Result].

배송이 늦어지는 바람에 선물을 못 줬어요.

[Noun]이/가 늦어질수록 [Consequence].

결정이 늦어질수록 피해가 커집니다.

[Abstract Concept]이/가 늦어지는 양상을 보이다.

사회적 합의가 늦어지는 양상을 보이고 있다.

[Noun]이/가 늦어질 수도 있습니다.

결과 발표가 늦어질 수도 있습니다.

[Noun]이/가 늦어지면 [Action].

도착이 늦어지면 전화할게요.

Word Family

Nouns

늦잠 (oversleeping)

늦깎이 (late bloomer)

지연 (delay - Sino-Korean)

Verbs

늦다 (to be late)

늦추다 (to delay/postpone - causative)

지연하다 (to delay - formal)

Adjectives

늦은 (late - modifying form)

지각한 (late/tardy - for people)

기다리다 (to wait)

서두르다 (to hurry)

시간 (time)

약속 (appointment)

일정 (schedule)

How to Use It

frequency

Very High in both spoken and written Korean.

Common Mistakes

제가 늦어질 거예요. → 제가 늦을 거예요.
You use '늦다' for a person being late. '늦어지다' is for the situation or schedule.
회의를 늦어졌어요. → 회의가 늦어졌어요.
늦어지다 is an intransitive verb; it takes a subject (-가), not an object (-를).
시간을 늦어지다. → 시간이 늦어지다.
Time is the subject that is becoming late, so use the subject marker.
약속을 늦어졌어요. → 약속이 늦어졌어요.
The appointment itself is the subject of the delay.
버스가 늦어서 기다려요. → 버스가 늦어져서 기다려요.
While '늦어서' is okay, '늦어져서' better describes the situational delay of the bus.

Tips

Apologizing for delays

Always use '늦어져서 죄송합니다' when you want to apologize for a delay that wasn't entirely your fault. It sounds more humble and descriptive than just '늦어서 죄송합니다'.

Don't use object markers

Never use '-을/를' with 늦어지다. It is a verb that happens to a subject, so use '-이/가'.

Process vs. State

Remember that 늦어지다 emphasizes the *process* of time slipping away. Use it when you want to describe how a situation is evolving into a delay.

Business contexts

In business emails, '일정이 늦어지다' is a common and professional way to inform clients about a delay without sounding too informal.

Leaving a party

Use '시간이 벌써 늦어졌네요' as a polite hint that you need to go home because it's late.

Public announcements

When you hear '늦어지고 있습니다' in a station, look for the estimated time of arrival on the screen.

Describing nature

You can use 늦어지다 to describe the seasons, such as a late spring ('봄이 늦어지다') or a late sunset.

Contrast with 늦추다

If you are the one deciding to make something late, use '늦추다'. If it just happens, use '늦어지다'.

Watch the 'eo'

Make sure to write '늦어지다' and not '늦이지다'. The vowel connection is always '-어지다'.

Softening the blow

Adding '조금' (a little) before '늦어질 것 같아요' makes the delay sound more manageable to the listener.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'NEU-jeo' as 'New-Joe'. Joe is always late. '-jida' sounds like 'G-DA' (Go-Da). So, New-Joe is making the schedule 'Go-Da' (Go down/Late).

Visual Association

Imagine a clock with its hands made of melting cheese, slowly stretching and sagging downwards. That stretching process is '늦어지다'.

Word Web

늦다 (Late) 늦어지다 (Delayed) 늦추다 (To delay) 지연 (Official Delay) 시간 (Time) 일정 (Schedule) 도착 (Arrival) 출발 (Departure)

Challenge

Try to use '늦어지다' three times today: once for a personal task, once for a transportation update, and once to apologize for a late text.

Word Origin

The word is a combination of the native Korean adjective '늦-' (root of 늦다, meaning late) and the auxiliary verb construction '-어지다'. The '-어지다' structure evolved from the verb '지다' (to fall/become), which historically added a sense of passivity or change to the preceding adjective.

Original meaning: To fall into a state of being late.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

When apologizing to a superior, always use the formal '늦어져서 죄송합니다' rather than '늦어져서 미안해'.

In English, we often say 'I'm running late.' This is the closest conceptual equivalent to '늦어지다' when applied to one's own schedule.

Korean news headlines often use '지연' or '늦어지다' when reporting on the 'Chuseok' traffic jams. K-Drama scenes where a character waits in the rain because a date is '늦어지다'. Songs about the night getting late ('밤이 늦어지면').

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Transportation Delays

열차가 늦어지다
비행기 출발이 늦어지다
버스가 늦어지다
교통 사고로 늦어지다

Work/Office

보고서 제출이 늦어지다
회의가 늦어지다
결재가 늦어지다
퇴근이 늦어지다

Daily Communication

답장이 늦어지다
연락이 늦어지다
준비가 늦어지다
약속이 늦어지다

Services/Shopping

배송이 늦어지다
수리가 늦어지다
심사가 늦어지다
입금이 늦어지다

Nature/Time

밤이 늦어지다
해가 늦게 지다
개화가 늦어지다
성장이 늦어지다

Conversation Starters

"일이 생각보다 많이 늦어지고 있나요? (Is the work being delayed much more than you thought?)"

"배송이 왜 이렇게 늦어지는지 아세요? (Do you know why the delivery is being delayed this much?)"

"회의가 늦어지면 제가 먼저 가도 될까요? (If the meeting is delayed, may I leave first?)"

"답장이 늦어져서 많이 기다리셨죠? (You waited a long time because my reply was delayed, right?)"

"오늘 퇴근이 늦어질 것 같은데 저녁 같이 못 먹겠어요. (It seems my finish time will be delayed today, so I won't be able to eat dinner with you.)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 계획했던 일 중에서 늦어진 것이 있었나요? 왜 늦어졌는지 적어보세요. (Was there anything among your plans today that was delayed? Write about why it was delayed.)

일정이 늦어질 때 당신은 보통 어떤 기분이 드나요? (How do you usually feel when a schedule is delayed?)

살면서 가장 크게 일정이 늦어졌던 경험에 대해 써보세요. (Write about the experience where your schedule was most significantly delayed in your life.)

한국의 '빨리빨리' 문화와 '늦어지는' 상황에 대해 어떻게 생각하시나요? (What do you think about Korea's 'hurry-hurry' culture and 'delaying' situations?)

만약 모든 것이 늦어지는 세상에 산다면 어떨까요? (What would it be like if you lived in a world where everything was delayed?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. You should say '제가 늦었어요' (I am late). Use '늦어지다' for things like '제 도착이 늦어졌어요' (My arrival was delayed).

Yes, it is a neutral word. When conjugated politely (늦어져요/늦어졌어요), it is perfectly fine for all situations.

지연되다 is more formal and used in official contexts like airports. 늦어지다 is more common in daily life and personal apologies.

You can say '회의가 늦어지고 있어요'.

Yes, '밤이 늦어졌네요' is a very common way to say it's getting late at night.

Not exactly. Postponed is '연기되다'. 늦어지다 means things are just taking longer than they should.

You can use the nominalized form '늦어짐', but usually, people use '지연' (delay) as the noun.

Since it is an intransitive verb, use the subject markers '-이' or '-가'.

It becomes '늦어질 거예요' (I think it will be delayed) or '늦어지겠습니다' (It will be delayed - formal).

No, for speed use '느려지다' (to become slow).