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How to Say ‘Late’ in Simplified Chinese

迟到了

chí dào le

[chí dào le]

💬 Usage Tip: [迟到] means "arrive late," and the [了] shows it has happened or becomes true: [我要迟到了] "I'm going to be late," [他已经迟到了] "He's already late."

Phrase Breakdown

迟到

chí dào

[chí dào]

late

After the expected or usual time.

Example

我今天上班迟到了。

I was late for work today.

了

le

[le]

completed action marker

Indicates the completion or change of an action.

Example

他已经吃了。

He has already eaten.

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