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il est trop tard

/il ɛ tʁo taʁ/
phrase★Beginner
informal

It is too late; the appropriate time has passed.

Je voulais appeler, mais il est trop tard.

I wanted to call, but it is too late.

💡

Often used to express regret about a missed opportunity.

Collocations

trop tardtoo late

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

c'est trop tardphrase
it is too late (more colloquial)

💡Pro Tip

Spoken alternative

In everyday conversation French speakers often say 'c'est trop tard' instead of 'il est trop tard'.

⚡Gold Rule

Time statements

Use 'il est' when stating facts about time; avoid using it for personal opinions.

📖Word Origin

Composed of the pronoun 'il', the verb 'être' (est), the adverb 'trop' (too), and the adjective 'tard' (late), all of Latin origin.

📝Usage Notes

Use this phrase to indicate that the moment for an action has passed, often accompanied by a sense of regret or apology.

Dictionnaire Français-Anglais

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