늦다 vs 지연되다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 늦다
Listen to 지연되다
| 늦다 | 지연되다 |
|---|---|
NEUT-da verb | ji-yeon-doe-da verb |
| to be late; not arriving or happening at the expected time | to be delayed; to happen later than planned |
How they differ
지연되다 focuses on the schedule or process being delayed, not on a person arriving late. 늦다 can describe both people and events, but 지연되다 is especially common for trains, flights, deliveries, announcements, and plans.
When to use each
When to use 늦다: Use 늦다 when a person or event is simply later than expected.
When to use 지연되다: Use 지연되다 when the delay is about an event, service, or process rather than a person.
Side-by-side examples
- 버스가 늦어서 제가 늦었어요.
(The bus was late, so I was late.) - 버스 운행이 지연되었어요.
(Bus service was delayed.)
Register & nuance: 지연되다 sounds more formal and is often used in announcements, news, and official contexts.