опаздывать vs опоздать

opazdyvat vs opozdat — be late habitually/in progress vs arrive late once

What it really means

Опаздывать is imperfective for being late as a repeated habit or an unfolding situation. Опоздать is perfective for one occasion of arriving late or missing a deadline. With transport and events, use на + accusative: опоздать на поезд, на встречу.

The verbs are intransitive: the person is the subject, not an object.

Examples in natural speech

Я часто опаздываю.
I am often late.
Он опаздывает на работу.
He is late for work.
Не опоздай на поезд!
Do not miss the train!
Мы опоздали на встречу.
We were late for the meeting.
Из-за пробки она опоздала.
She was late because of traffic.

Common mistakes

Use на + accusative for what you are late for: опоздать на автобус. Do not use the dative, even though English says “late to” something.

Memory tip

Опаздывать describes lateness happening; опоздать marks the late arrival.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between опаздывать and опоздать?

Опаздывать is habitual or ongoing lateness. Опоздать is being late on one completed occasion.

How do you say miss the train?

Say “опоздать на поезд.” It literally means arrive too late for the train.

Which case follows на?

Use the accusative: на поезд, на урок, на встречу.

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