It is late
A common alternative that means 'It got late,' often used when time has passed more quickly than expected.
This means 'It's already late,' adding a sense of emphasis or finality.
Use this to say 'It's very late,' for when you want to add more intensity.
Let's go home, it's already late.
It's ten at night. It's late to call.
Look at the time! It got very late.
I need to sleep. It's late.
The phrase 'Es tarde' is universally understood and used across the entire Spanish-speaking world. The main variation is cultural, regarding what time is considered 'late'.
'Es tarde' and 'Se hizo tarde' are the most common expressions.
Both 'Es tarde' and 'Se hizo tarde' are frequently used in daily conversation.
The phrases are the same, but keep in mind that dinner and social activities often happen much later in Spain than in Latin America, so the definition of 'tarde' can feel different.
'Es tarde' is standard. You might hear it used with the local filler word 'che,' as in 'Che, es tarde, vamos.'
Using 'estar' instead of 'ser' — Say 'Es tarde,' not 'Está tarde.' For telling time and making general statements about time, Spanish uses the verb 'ser'. 'Estar tarde' would imply a state of being late, which is used for people, not for the time itself (e.g., 'Estoy tarde' - I am late).
Trying to translate 'it' — Say 'Es tarde,' not 'Lo es tarde.' In Spanish, impersonal subjects like 'it' in 'it is late' or 'it is raining' are usually omitted. The verb conjugation is enough.
Confusing 'tarde' (late) with 'tarde' (afternoon) — The word is the same, but the meaning changes with context. 'Es tarde' means 'It is late.' 'Son las dos de la tarde' means 'It is two in the afternoon.' The context makes the meaning clear.
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