die
Verspätung
⏳ What exactly does 'die Verspätung' mean?
Die Verspätung (noun, feminine) refers to the state or fact of something or someone arriving, starting, or happening later than expected or planned. It's the opposite of Pünktlichkeit (punctuality).
The word is frequently used in connection with means of transport (der Zug - train, das Flugzeug - airplane, der Bus - bus), appointments (der Termin), or deadlines (die Abgabefrist).
🚨 Because the word ends in -ung, it's typically feminine (die Verspätung). There are no other articles or meanings for this word.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar: 'Die Verspätung' in Detail
The noun 'Verspätung' is feminine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Verspätung | eine Verspätung |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Verspätung | einer Verspätung |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Verspätung | einer Verspätung |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Verspätung | eine Verspätung |
Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Verspätungen | - / einige Verspätungen (some delays) |
| Genitive | der Verspätungen | - / einiger Verspätungen (of some delays) |
| Dative | den Verspätungen | - / einigen Verspätungen (to/for some delays) |
| Accusative | die Verspätungen | - / einige Verspätungen (some delays) |
💬 Example Sentences
- Der Zug hatte leider eine Verspätung von 20 Minuten.
Unfortunately, the train had a delay of 20 minutes. - Wegen der Verspätung habe ich meinen Anschluss verpasst.
Because of the delay, I missed my connection. - Bitte entschuldigen Sie die Verspätung, es gab viel Verkehr.
Please excuse the delay, there was a lot of traffic. - Häufige Verspätungen bei dieser Fluglinie sind ärgerlich.
Frequent delays with this airline are annoying.
💡 How to use 'die Verspätung'?
'Die Verspätung' is used whenever a schedule is not met. Here are some typical contexts:
- Transport: 'Der ICE hat Verspätung.' (The ICE train is delayed.), 'Wir warten auf den Bus, aber er hat wohl Verspätung.' (We're waiting for the bus, but it seems to be delayed.)
- Appointments: 'Ich komme etwas später zum Meeting, bitte entschuldige die Verspätung.' (I'll be a bit late for the meeting, please excuse the delay.)
- Deadlines: 'Die Abgabe des Projekts erfolgte mit einer Woche Verspätung.' (The project submission was made with a one-week delay.)
- General: 'Nach einer kurzen Verspätung begann die Vorstellung.' (After a short delay, the performance began.)
You can also say that someone 'hat Verspätung' (is late/has a delay) or 'trifft mit Verspätung ein' (arrives late/with a delay). The related verb is 'sich verspäten': Ich habe mich verspätet. (I was late.)
Comparison: A Verzögerung is similar, but can also refer to a planned slowing down, whereas Verspätung is always unplanned and has a negative connotation.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'Verspätung'
Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of: die Einladung (invitation), die Meinung (opinion), die Prüfung (exam)... and therefore also die Verspätung!
Meaning Mnemonic: Think of 'ver-' sometimes meaning 'wrong' or 'away', and 'spät' means 'late'. So, you're on the 'wrong' path concerning time, because you are too spät (late) → Verspätung (delay, lateness).
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Die Verzögerung: Very similar, often interchangeable, but can be more neutral. (delay)
- Der Aufschub: Refers more to postponing an appointment or deadline. (postponement, deferral)
- Die Säumnis (less common): More in a legal or formal context (e.g., default of payment). (default, delay)
Antonyms (Opposites):
- Die Pünktlichkeit: The exact opposite, adhering to the planned time. (punctuality)
- Die Frühzeitigkeit: Arriving or happening before the planned time. (earliness)
- Die Rechtzeitigkeit: Happening exactly at the right time, not too late. (timeliness)
⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse 'Verspätung' with 'Versprechung' (promise) – they might sound slightly similar but have completely different meanings!
😄 A Little Joke
DE: Warum kommt der Geist immer zu spät zur Party?
Weil er durch Wände gehen muss und ständig im Stau steckt!
EN: Why is the ghost always late for the party?
Because he has to go through walls and keeps getting stuck in traffic jams! (Okay, it's a punny connection to being late, not directly 'Verspätung' itself, but related to the theme.)
📜 A Little Poem
DE:
Die Uhr, sie tickt, die Zeit verrinnt,
der Zug, der fährt, doch nicht geschwind.
Am Bahnsteig warten, kalt und grau,
die Verspätung, man kennt sie genau.
Mal zehn Minuten, mal 'ne Stund',
macht Ärger oft im Wartemund.
EN:
The clock, it ticks, time slips away,
the train, it runs, but not swift today.
Waiting on the platform, cold and grey,
the delay, we know it well, okay.
Sometimes ten minutes, sometimes an hour's wait,
often causing anger at the waiting gate.
❓ Riddle Time
DE:
Ich komme oft, wenn du es eilig hast,
bei Bus und Bahn bin ich ein häufiger Gast.
Ich sorge für Warten und für Stress,
bin das Gegenteil von Pünktlichkeits-Express.
Was bin ich?
EN:
I often come when you're in a hurry,
with bus and train, I'm a frequent worry.
I cause waiting and lots of stress,
I'm the opposite of punctual express.
What am I?
(Solution: die Verspätung / the delay)
🧩 More Tidbits
Word Composition:
The word 'Verspätung' is composed of:
- The prefix 'ver-': can indicate a deviation or faultiness here.
- The adjective 'spät': refers to the point in time (late).
- The suffix '-ung': used to form a noun (nominalization) from the verb 'verspäten' (to be late).
Cultural Aspect:
In Germany, Pünktlichkeit (punctuality - the opposite of Verspätung) is traditionally considered very important, both in professional and private life. A Verspätung should therefore be avoided if possible, or at least be well-justified and apologized for.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Verspätung?
The German word for delay or lateness is die Verspätung. It is a feminine noun because it ends with -ung. The plural form is die Verspätungen.