遅い
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Base i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes lateness in time or slowness in speed.
Theme
User and their friend Mika are meeting at a café for a study session. Mika arrives first and texts User to check on their arrival time.
遅い
おそい
late
Core Language Building BlocksCore Adjectives
Memory Hook
Imagine you're running late and say, 'I'm so slow!' — 'slow' sounds like 『遅い』 (osoi, 'late'). Think: 'Oh, so slow!' → 遅い (osoi, 'late').
Cultural Note
In Japan, punctuality is highly valued. Being 『遅い』 (osoi, 'late') is often considered rude, especially in work or social settings. People often apologize with 『遅くなってすみません』 (osoku natte sumimasen, 'sorry for being late').
Forms
Base: 遅いBase i-adjective form ending in 『い』. Describes lateness in time or slowness in speed.
Negative: 遅くないDrop 『い』 → add 『くない』 (kunai, negative) → 『遅くない』 (osokunai).
Past: 遅かったDrop 『い』 → add 『かった』 (katta, past) → 『遅かった』 (osokatta).
Adverbial: 遅くDrop 『い』 → add 『く』 (ku, adverbial) → 『遅く』 (osoku).
Comparative: より遅いComparative formed with modifier 『より』 (yori, 'more than') + base adjective.
Superlative: 一番遅いSuperlative formed with 『一番』 (ichiban, 'number one / Most') + adjective.