German word

nachträglich

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈnaːxˌtʁɛːklɪç/

Meaning

  • adverbbelatedly

Example

Ich gratuliere dir nachträglich zum Geburtstag.

I'm wishing you a belated happy birthday.

Illustration for nachträglich (belatedly)

More examples

Ich habe die Rechnung nachträglich bezahlt.

I paid the bill belatedly.

Core concept

A completed event is viewed from afterward, with a missing piece attached to it once the original moment has passed.

Common phrases

  • nachträglich gratulieren

    belatedly congratulate

  • nachträglich informieren

    belatedly inform

  • nachträglich bezahlen

    belatedly pay

Similar words

später: Occurring at a later time than a stated reference point.
im Nachhinein: Done or judged afterward, with the benefit of looking back.
rückwirkend: Taking effect retroactively in relation to an earlier period.
verspätet: Late because the scheduled time or deadline was missed.

Definition in German

Mit Wirkung im Nachhinein oder als verspätete Ergänzung

Word origin

The adjective nachträglich is based on the verb nachtragen ('add later'), which joins nach ('after') and tragen ('carry'), with -lich forming the adjective.

Usage tips

  • In nachträglich gratulieren, the congratulations are late, while the birthday itself is not described as late.

Other meanings

  • subsequentlyadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Nachtragaddendumnoun
  • nachtragendresentfuladjective

Word lists with this word