HSK · Level 2
130 words
Chinese word
迟
Pronunciation
Pinyinchí
Meaning
- adjectivelate
Example
现在太迟了，我们明天再去吧。xiàn zài tài chí le wǒ men míng tiān zài qù ba
It's too late now, so let's go tomorrow.
More examples
别来得迟，会议马上开始了。bié lái de chí huì yì mǎ shàng kāi shǐ le
Don't arrive late; the meeting is about to start.
Core concept
A person, event, or process trails behind its expected point on the timeline.
Common phrases
太迟tài chí
too late
来得迟lái de chí
arrive late
还不迟hái bù chí
not too late yet
Similar words
晚wǎn: At a late time of day, especially toward evening or night.
慢màn: Having a low rate of movement or progress.
迟缓chí huǎn: Showing slow movement, progress, or response.
迟钝chí dùn: Showing dull senses, slow thinking, or a delayed response.
Definition in Chinese
到达或开始的时间比约定或应有时间晚，也可指事情进展或完成比预期缓慢。dào dá huò kāi shǐ de shí jiān bǐ yuē dìng huò yīng yǒu shí jiān wǎn yě kě zhǐ shì qíng jìn zhǎn huò wán chéng bǐ yù qī huǎn màn
Word origin
The simplified 迟 (chí, "late") comes from traditional 遲 (chí, "late"), and the modern word retains the older character's established sense of falling behind the expected time.
Usage tips
- The adjective can describe a scheduled meeting or its start, so conversation can focus on timing without saying who caused the delay.