How to Say "overdue" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “overdue” is “atrasado” — use 'atrasado' when referring to being late for an appointment, a class, or a task that has a deadline.
atrasado
ah-trah-SAH-dohatɾaˈsaðo
Examples
Llegué diez minutos atrasado a la clase.
I arrived ten minutes late to the class.
El tren viene muy atrasado hoy.
The train is running very late today.
Estoy un poco atrasado con el trabajo de la universidad.
I am a bit behind with my university work.
Matches the person or thing
Since this word is an adjective, its ending changes to match who or what you are talking about. Use 'atrasada' for a female person or feminine object, and add an 's' for plurals.
Use with 'estar'
When talking about being late for a specific event, use the verb 'estar' (to be) because being late is a temporary state, not a permanent personality trait.
Atrasado vs. Tarde
Mistake: “Soy atrasado.”
Correction: Estoy atrasado (I am late) or Llegué tarde (I arrived late). 'Soy' implies that you are a 'late person' by nature, which sounds very strange in Spanish.
retrasado
re-trah-SAH-dohre.tɾaˈsaðo
Examples
El vuelo a Madrid está retrasado por mal tiempo.
The flight to Madrid is delayed due to bad weather.
Mi reloj está cinco minutos retrasado.
My watch is five minutes slow/behind.
La entrega de los materiales va muy retrasada.
The delivery of the materials is very delayed.
Use with Estar
When describing a temporary state of being behind schedule, use the verb 'estar': 'El tren está retrasado' (The train is delayed right now).
Agreement
Like most Spanish describing words, 'retrasado' must match the thing it describes: 'retrasado' (masc. sing.), 'retrasada' (fem. sing.), 'retrasados' (masc. plural), 'retrasadas' (fem. plural).
vencido
ven-SEE-dohbenˈsiðo
Examples
Tenemos que pagar la renta antes de que esté vencida.
We have to pay the rent before it is overdue.
El plazo para entregar los documentos está vencido.
The deadline for submitting the documents has expired.
Me di cuenta de que mi pasaporte estaba vencido.
I realized that my passport was expired.
Time vs. Food
In Spanish, 'vencido' usually refers to deadlines, contracts, or official documents. For food or medication that has gone bad, it is often more natural to use 'caducado'.
Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'
Mistake: “Mi pasaporte es vencido.”
Correction: Mi pasaporte está vencido. Use 'estar' because expiration is a temporary state or condition of the object, not a permanent characteristic.
Atrasado vs. Vencido
Related Translations
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