How to Say "overdue" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “overdue” is “retrasado” — use 'retrasado' when referring to something that is delayed, such as a flight, train, or even a person arriving late. It implies a deviation from the expected schedule..
retrasado
/re-trah-SAH-doh//re.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-doh/benˈsiðo/
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.
Delay vs. Deadline
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