tardío
“tardío” means “late” in Spanish (happening toward the end of a period).
late, belated
Also: slow-to-develop, late-stage
📝 In Action
Tuvimos un invierno tardío este año.
A2We had a late winter this year.
Su arrepentimiento fue sincero pero tardío.
B1His regret was sincere but belated.
La floración tardía de los almendros es normal en esta zona.
B2The late blooming of the almond trees is normal in this area.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tardío
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly describes a 'belated gift'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'tardus', which meant slow or sluggish. Over time, it evolved to describe things that happen at the end of a scheduled time or season.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'tardío' to say I am late for a meeting?
Not usually. To say 'I am late,' use the phrase 'Llego tarde.' 'Tardío' is an adjective used to describe things, like a 'late response' (una respuesta tardía) or a 'late discovery' (un descubrimiento tardío).
Does 'tardío' always mean something negative?
Not necessarily! While it often implies a delay, in contexts like 'otoño tardío' (late autumn) or 'cosecha tardía' (late harvest), it is simply a factual description of the time of year.
Is 'tardío' the same as 'lento'?
They are related but different. 'Lento' means something moves at a low speed. 'Tardío' means something happened at a late point in time.