die Verspätung
Translation
delay, lateness
Examples
Der Zug hat zehn Minuten Verspätung.
The train has a ten-minute delay.
Ich bitte um Entschuldigung für die Verspätung.
I apologize for the delay.
Er kam mit großer Verspätung an.
He arrived very late.
Grammar Patterns
to have a delay / be delayed to be delayed The bus is delayed.
to arrive with a delay / late to arrive late The guest arrived late.
Similar Words
Synonym: die Verzögerung (delay); Antonym: die Pünktlichkeit (punctuality)
Etymology
Derived from the adjective 'spät' (late). The prefix 'ver-' and suffix '-ung' turn it into a noun meaning 'the state of being late'.
Memory Tips
Focus on the core word 'spät' (late). 'Verspätung' is simply the noun for the state of being 'spät'.