Meaning and Usage
"遅刻" (ちこく) specifically refers to the act of arriving late, especially to appointments, school, or work. It is a noun but often used with the verb "する" to mean "to be late."
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used in formal and informal settings when discussing punctuality. For example, students, employees, or anyone expected to arrive on time might be warned against "遅刻."
Collocations and Patterns
- 遅刻する: to be late
- 遅刻しないように: so as not to be late
- 遅刻の理由: reason for being late
These patterns help express actions or reasons related to lateness.
Register and Nuance
"遅刻" is neutral in politeness but often appears in contexts where punctuality is important. Using it implies the speaker considers timeliness significant.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "遅刻" with "遅れる," which also means "to be late." However, "遅刻" is more about arriving late to a scheduled event, while "遅れる" can be used more broadly for delays in general.