verspätet

Verspätet is a German adjective and, less commonly, an adverb meaning delayed or late, used for things that occur after the planned time. It commonly describes transportation schedules (trains, buses, flights), deliveries, performances, meetings, or other timed events. The corresponding noun is Verspätung, referring to the state or duration of a delay.

Origin and use: Verspätet is formed from spät, meaning late, with the prefix ver-, which in German often marks a change of state. The umlaut ä appears in many inflected forms: verspäteter Zug, verspätete Lieferung, das verspätete Event. In predicative use: Der Zug ist verspätet. In attributive use: eine verspätete Ankunft; plural: verspätete Ankünfte.

Usage notes and distinctions: Verzögert is typically used when something has been postponed or slowed down by an intervening cause, often implying an intentional or external delay, as in Der Start wurde verzögert. Verspätet emphasizes lateness relative to a schedule or expected time, rather than an act of postponement. The noun Verspätung is common in official or formal contexts, such as timetable notices or news reporting. Common collocations include Verspätung, verspätete Lieferung, verspätete Ankunft.

See also: Pünktlichkeit (punctuality), Verspätung (delay), Verzögerung (postponement or slowing). Verspätet is widely used across German-speaking regions, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, in both spoken and written language.