为时已晚 (wéi shí yǐ wǎn) — it is already too late; too late

Definition

Idiom meaning 'it is already too late' — used when a deadline or chance has just passed. Often paired with 恐怕 or 已经 to stress regret.

idiom

it is already too latetoo late

为时已晚。
Xiàn zài hòu huǐ yǐ jīng wéi shí yǐ wǎn le.
It is already too late to regret now.
，为时已晚。
Děng wǒ men gǎn dào huǒ chē zhàn, wéi shí yǐ wǎn.
By the time we rushed to the train station, it was already too late.
，为时已晚。
Rú guǒ nǐ xiàn zài bù cǎi qǔ xíng dòng, kǒng pà wéi shí yǐ wǎn.
If you don't take action now, I'm afraid it will be too late.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 為; 为 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 為 showed a hand holding an elephant; the simplified 为 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 時; 时 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

日日rìsun; day

Sound part声符shēngfú

之

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 時 pairs 日 (sun/day) with 之 as the part that gives the sound; the simplified 时 is not the form described.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 已 may originally have been a drawing of either a snake or a fetus.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

日免晚

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

免

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

晚 pairs 日, the sun part, with 免, which supplies the sound.

Appears in