Dictionary — Entry No. 0829
늦었어
neulyeosseo · adjective
늦었어
neulyeosseo
[neul-YEO-sseo]
adjectivebeginner
Meaning
Past tense of ‘neulda’ (to be late), meaning ‘it was late’ or ‘I/you were late.’ Expresses a completed action of lateness or regret about timing.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Common in everyday K-culture and dramas when characters miss important moments or appointments. K-pop idols frequently mention being late to schedules in variety shows. The phrase carries undertones of regret or missed opportunity, resonating deeply in K-drama narratives about timing and fate.
Example Sentences
미안해, 늦었어.
mianhae, neulyeosseo.
Sorry, I was late (apology for tardiness)
너무 늦었어, 이미 갔어.
neomu neulyeosseo, imi gasseo.
It’s too late, he already left (regret about missed timing)
늦었어도 괜찮아.
neulyeosseodo gwenchana.
Even if it’s late, it’s okay (reassurance, temporal forgiveness)
⚠️ Don’t use neulyeosseo when…
Doesn’t mean ‘slow’—use ‘neurin’ for slow movement. ‘Neulyeosseo’ is strictly temporal lateness. Many learners confuse the emotional weight—it often implies regret or apology beyond just factual lateness.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: My Love From The Star — Main character says ‘neulyeosseo’ when finally reunited with his love 400 years later—missing centuries of connection and timing.
- K-Pop: NewJeans — Hype Boy (lyrics and music touch on timing, rhythm, and perfect moments; captures the bittersweet tension ‘neulyeosseo’ conveys)
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.