late
/LAH-teh/
beats
The word 'late' describes how a heart beats.
📝 In Action
Mi corazón late rápido cuando estoy nervioso.
A2My heart beats fast when I am nervous.
El médico escucha cómo late su corazón.
B1The doctor listens to how his heart beats.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'late' for constant actions
Even though it's a verb, we use this form to describe the natural, ongoing rhythm of the heart in the present.
❌ Common Pitfalls
The False Friend Trap
Mistake: "Using 'late' to mean 'tardy' or 'not on time'."
Correction: In Spanish, if you want to say someone is late, use 'tarde'. 'Late' only refers to a beating heart or a throb.
⭐ Usage Tips
Physicality
Use this word specifically for rhythmic physical movements like pulses or heartbeats.
When a wound 'late', it means it is throbbing with pain.
📝 In Action
Me late la herida del brazo.
B1My arm wound is throbbing.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing pain
When a wound 'beats' in Spanish, it translates to the English sensation of 'throbbing'.
In this context, 'late' refers to having a sudden hunch or intuitive feeling.
📝 In Action
Me late que va a pasar algo bueno.
B2I have a hunch that something good is going to happen.
¿Te late ir al cine?
B2Does going to the movies sound good to you?
⭐ Usage Tips
Mexican Slang
If you are in Mexico, '¿Te late?' is a very friendly way to ask 'Do you like that plan?' or 'Does that work for you?'
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: late
Question 1 of 2
If someone in Mexico asks '¿Te late?', what are they asking?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'late' mean the same thing in Spanish as it does in English?
No! This is a common mistake. In English, 'late' means not on time. In Spanish, 'late' is a verb form meaning 'it beats' (from the verb latir). To say 'not on time' in Spanish, use 'tarde'.
Is 'late' a regular verb?
Yes, the verb it comes from, 'latir', follows all the standard rules for verbs ending in -ir.