Meaning and Usage
The verb '늦다' primarily means 'to be late' or 'to be overdue' in terms of time. It is commonly used to describe situations where someone or something does not arrive or happen at the expected or scheduled time.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '늦다' when talking about being late for appointments, transportation delays, or submitting work past a deadline. It is a basic and essential verb for daily conversations about time management.
Politeness and Register
'늦다' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When giving advice or requests, it is often combined with polite endings like '-지 마세요' to tell someone not to be late.
Common Collocations
- '시간에 늦다': to be late for a specific time or appointment.
- '버스가 늦다': the bus is late.
- '숙제를 늦게 내다': to submit homework late.
Learner Tips
A common mistake is confusing '늦다' with '지각하다' (to be late, often used for people arriving late). '늦다' focuses on the state of being late, while '지각하다' emphasizes the action of arriving late. Use '늦다' to describe the lateness itself or delays in schedules.