手遅(ておく)れ

ておくれ
noun, na-adjective
too late; belated
informalbusinessmedicaldescriptive
1. too late; belated; past the time when something could be done
A state where it is no longer possible to take effective action because the appropriate time has passed.
病気(びょうき)が見(み)つかったときには、もう手遅(ておく)れだった。
By the time the disease was discovered, it was already too late.
手遅(ておく)れになる前(まえ)に行動(こうどう)しよう。
Let's act before it's too late.
今(いま)からでも遅(おそ)くない、まだ手遅(ておく)れじゃない。
It's not too late even now; we can still do something.

Forms

手(て) (hand/measure) + 遅(おく)れ (delay)

Literally 'the measures are late.'

Common patterns

  • 手遅(ておく)れだ - it's too late (predicate)
  • 手遅(ておく)れになる - to become too late
  • 手遅(ておく)れの + noun - belated (rare modifier usage)

Common collocations

Usage

Often used in serious contexts like medical situations, business decisions, or environmental issues.

Similar words

Related Words

Related: 遅(おく)れる (to be late)
general
Added 2026.1.19 12:02 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07000/07177_teokure