Korean Dictionary
How to say "Late" in Korean
“Late” in Korean is 늦게 (pronounced "neutge").
늦게
neutge
Usage & Context
The word for late, indicating something happens after the expected time. This is commonly used in schedules and delays.
Example Sentence
나는 늦게 자요.
I go to bed late.
How to use 늦게 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Late” is 늦게, romanized as neutge.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 늦게.
Pronunciation Guide
The '늦' (neut) part sounds like 'newt' without the final 't' sound, with a short 'uh' vowel. The '게' (ge) part sounds like 'geh' in 'get'. Put them together: 'neut-geh'.
More Example Sentences
Explaining tardiness for a scheduled event.
회의에 늦게 도착했어요.
I arrived late for the meeting.
Informing someone about a long workday.
오늘은 늦게까지 일해야 해요.
I have to work late today.
A friend asking another friend about their delay.
왜 이렇게 늦게 왔어?
Why did you come so late?
Cultural Context
Punctuality is highly valued in Korean culture, especially in professional settings and formal gatherings. Being '늦게' (late) can be seen as disrespectful. However, among close friends, a few minutes' delay might be more tolerated, often with a quick apology like '늦어서 미안해!' (Sorry for being late!). In K-dramas, characters often rush to avoid being late for important dates or appointments, highlighting this cultural emphasis.
Editorial note
We review entries like 늦게 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
늦게까지
until late
늦게 자다
to go to bed late
늦게 오다
to come late
Related Expressions
빨리
ppalli
early/quickly (antonym)
일찍
iljjik
early (antonym)
지각하다
jigakhada
to be late (verb)
정시
jeongsi
on time (noun)
More Numbers and Time Words
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