Más vale tarde que nunca
/MAHS VAH-leh TAR-deh keh NOON-kah/
It's better to do something late than to not do it at all.
💡 Understanding the Idiom
🎨 Literal vs. Figurative
Literally, this means 'late is worth more than never'.
It means it's better to arrive or do something late than not at all.
Key Words in This Idiom:
📝 In Action
Perdón por felicitarte una semana después, ¡pero más vale tarde que nunca!
A2Sorry for congratulating you a week later, but better late than never!
Finalmente terminé la universidad a los 40 años. Como dicen, más vale tarde que nunca.
B1I finally finished university at 40. As they say, better late than never.
El informe llegó con un día de retraso, pero más vale tarde que nunca.
B1The report arrived a day late, but better late than never.
📜 Origin Story
This is one of those timeless pieces of wisdom that has been around for ages. Its roots go all the way back to ancient Rome! The Roman historian Livy wrote 'potius sero quam numquam', which means the exact same thing. It's a universal truth that has been adopted into Spanish, English, and many other languages, showing that people everywhere agree it's always better to make the effort, even if you're a little behind schedule.
⭐ Usage Tips
For Apologies and Achievements
This is your go-to phrase for acknowledging lateness in a positive way. Use it when you apologize for a delay ('Sorry I'm late, but más vale tarde que nunca!') or when celebrating an accomplishment that took a long time ('I finally learned to drive at 35! Más vale tarde que nunca.').
It's an Optimistic Phrase
The tone of this saying is positive and forgiving. It focuses on the fact that something got done, rather than dwelling on the fact that it was late. It's a way to say, 'Hey, what's important is that it happened!'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't Overuse It as an Excuse
Mistake: "Using the phrase to justify being chronically late or unreliable for important matters."
Correction: While it's great for minor delays or one-off situations, relying on it too often can make you seem like you don't respect other people's time. Save it for when it's genuinely better that you showed up late than not at all.
🌎 Where It's Used
Spain
Universal and extremely common in all contexts.
Latin America
Universal and extremely common across all Spanish-speaking countries.
🔗 Related Idioms
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: Más vale tarde que nunca
Question 1 of 1
You forgot your friend's birthday, but you call them the next day. What is the most appropriate thing to say?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'Más vale tarde que nunca' in a formal or professional setting?
Yes, absolutely. While it's common in casual conversation, it's also perfectly acceptable in more formal contexts. For example, you could use it when submitting a report that's slightly delayed to acknowledge the tardiness while confirming completion. It's a widely understood and respected proverb.