French Conversation · Level 108
60 words
French word
tarder
Pronunciation
IPA/taʁde/
Meaning
- verbbe late
Example
Elle tarde à arriver.
She is late arriving.
More examples
Il tarde à répondre aux messages.
He is taking a long time to reply to the messages.
Core concept
A person or event remains behind the expected point because extra time is needed.
Common phrases
tarder à répondre
take a long time to reply
ne pas tarder à agir
not delay acting
tarder à arriver
take a long time to arrive
Similar words
traîner: Take a long time to finish.
retarder: Intentionally delay the start of a planned activity.
reporter: Move a planned event or appointment to another time or date.
s'attarder: Stay in a place longer than necessary.
Definition in French
Prendre du retard ; nécessiter plus de temps que prévu pour une action ou un déplacement.
Word origin
French inherited tarder from Old French tarder, ultimately based on Latin tardus 'slow', with the sense of delay already present in Latin tardare.
Usage tips
- Tarder à often has the sense 'be slow to' or 'take a long time to', as in Elle tarde à arriver, rather than only 'arrive late'.