späten

Späten is the declined form of the German adjective spät, meaning late. It is not a standalone noun; rather, it appears as an inflected adjective in phrases where a definite article or definite context governs the form. The ending -en signals a particular case and number, most commonly seen in dative and plural contexts.

In usage, späten occurs in time-related expressions and descriptive phrases. Examples include am späten Abend (at the late evening), in den späten Jahren (in the late years of life), and in den späten Stunden (in the late hours). In these cases the adjective carries endings determined by the definite article and the grammatical role of the noun it modifies. By contrast, when spåt is used as an adverb to describe when something occurs, it remains invariable (Es ist spät).

Etymology and related forms: spät derives from older West Germanic roots and is cognate with related forms in other Germanic languages, such as Dutch laat and English late. The form späten specifically reflects standard German declension patterns for adjectives preceding definite nouns.

Limitations and note: späten cannot function as a stand-alone noun in ordinary German usage; its role is purely adjectival. In contrast, the adverb late is expressed simply as spät, without an ending, when not directly modifying a definite noun. The precise ending of späten changes with case, number, and gender of the noun it accompanies.

See also: spät, laten, late (etymology in Germanic languages).