arrive
vs
be late

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"Arrive" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "llegar", and "be late" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "llegar tarde". Learn more about the difference between "arrive" and "be late" below.

arrive(

rayv

)

An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).

intransitive verb

1. (to reach a place)

a. llegar

I arrived at her house, and she was not there.Llegué a su casa y ella no estaba allí.

2. (to achieve success)

a. triunfar

She felt that she had arrived when she hired her first employee.Sintió que había triunfado cuando contrató a su primer empleado.

b. alcanzar el éxito

If you keep working hard, you will arrive.Si sigues trabajando duro, alcanzarás el éxito.

3. (to be born)

a. llegar

After several hours of labor, the baby arrived.Tras varias horas de parto, el bebé llegó.

b. nacer

The baby arrived before they reached the hospital.El bebé nació antes de que llegaran al hospital.

be late(

leyt

)

An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).

intransitive verb phrase

1. (to not be on time)

a. llegar tarde

Hurry, Charlie! We're going to be late!¡Apúrate, Charlie! ¡Vamos a llegar tarde!

b. ir tarde

I'm sorry, but I'm late and I can't stay and talk now.Lo siento, pero voy tarde y no puedo quedarme a hablar.

2. (to be far on in time)

a. ser tarde

Hey, it's late. I should go home.Oye, ya es tarde. Debería irme a casa.

3. (medicine)

a. retrasarse el periodo

Are you late? Do you think you could be pregnant?¿Se te retrasa el periodo? ¿Crees que podrías estar embarazada?