迟到

迟到 (chídào) means 'to be late' or 'to arrive after the expected time.' It is commonly used to describe someone arriving later than scheduled, whether for an appointment, meeting, or event.

The character 迟 (chí) means 'late' or 'delayed,' and 到 (dào) means 'to arrive' or 'to reach.' Together, they form a compound verb that directly conveys the idea of being late in arriving.

In daily life, 迟到 is often used in formal or informal contexts, such as in schools, workplaces, or social gatherings. In Chinese culture, punctuality is valued, and being late may be seen as disrespectful or inconsiderate. Related expressions include 准时 (zhǔnshí, 'on time') and 耽误 (dānwù, 'to delay').