Später

Später is a German word that functions principally as an adverb meaning "at some point after the present" or simply "later." It is also the comparative form of the adjective spät, used to express greater lateness or postponement than another time, as in später als geplant.

In everyday use, später refers to a future moment relative to now. Examples: Ich komme später. Wir treffen uns später. Bis später! In phrases denoting a later portion of the day, one can say "später am Abend" or the more formal "am späteren Abend," though the common form is simply "später am Abend." The use of "später" with "als" marks a temporal comparison, as in "später als geplant" (later than planned). It contrasts with "früher" (earlier).

Etymology and nuance: "später" is formed from the adjective "spät" plus the comparative suffix -er; as an adverb it means "at a later time" and often introduces a time frame relative to another event. It contrasts with "früher" (earlier). In many contexts it signals postponement rather than a simple lateness.