A1 · reviewed · real-chinese

我要迟到了。

I am going to be late.
Practice recall

Practice path

Make this line survive without the page.

Start with the sound, then answer the authored recall prompts for this exact line. No browsing through the whole quiz set.

0/4 recalled Next: hear it cold. Continue next step

Scene

When to use it

Warning someone before a meeting, dinner, class, or appointment that you will be late.

Risk

safe

If you are already late, 我迟到了 is more direct.

Literal

I am about to arrive late.

要...了 can mark something that is about to happen. This line is practical and socially useful.

Examples

Say it inside real sentences.

Run the 4-step recall
01 Sorry, I am going to be late.
02 Traffic is a bit heavy. I am going to be late.

Mini dialogue

Hear the social move.

Play both lines, then say the second line without looking.

A Where are you now?
B I am going to be late.

Contrast

Do not blur these together.

01 I am going to be late.
02 I am late.

Recall prompts

Check whether it survived.

01 · What does 我要迟到了。 mean?

Answer: I am going to be late.

迟到 means be late; 要...了 means about to.

Practice this prompt
02 · Fill the pinyin for 迟到了。

Answer: chí dào le

迟 is second tone, 到 is fourth tone, 了 is light.

Practice this prompt
03 · Which line warns before you arrive late?

Answer: 我要迟到了。

Use 我要迟到了 before the lateness has fully happened.

Practice this prompt