how to say late in french

Late in French is usually en retard when you mean “late for something.” For example: Je suis en retard = “I’m late”.

Useful distinction

• en retard = late for an appointment, class, train, etc.

• tard = late in the day or at a late hour, like je rentre tard = “I’m coming home late”

Example

• Le train est en retard = “The train is late.”

• Il se fait tard = “It’s getting late.”

Quick note

A common mistake is saying je suis tard ; in French, that usually sounds wrong for “I’m late”.