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How to Say ‘A bit too late’ in German

Etwas zu spät

ET-vahs tsoo shpate

[ET-vahs tsoo shpate]

Phrase Breakdown

Etwas

[ET-vahs]

a bit, somewhat

Before adjectives it means slightly.

Example

Es ist etwas kalt.

It is a bit cold.

[tsoo]

too

Before an adjective, it means 'excessively', more than wanted.

Example

Neun Uhr ist uns zu spät.

Nine o'clock is too late for us.

spät

[shpate]

late

After the expected or desired time.

Example

Es ist schon spät.

It's already late.

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