Translation guide
The English adverb 'tardily' means doing something late, slowly, or with delay. It is a relatively formal or literary word. In Japanese, the concept is usually expressed with adverbs or adverbial phrases that convey lateness, slowness, or reluctance, depending on the nuance.
Expressing that an action occurs later than planned, scheduled, or appropriate.
The most common and neutral way to say 'tardily' in the sense of being late. It is the te-form of 遅れる (to be late), used adverbially.
彼は会議に遅れて到着した。
He arrived at the meeting tardily.
The adverbial form of 遅い (late). It can mean 'late' or 'slowly', but in context it often implies tardiness.
彼は遅く帰宅した。
He came home tardily.
A set phrase meaning 'belatedly' or 'better late than never'. Used when doing something late but still wanting to do it. Often used in greetings or apologies.
遅ればせながら、誕生日おめでとう。
Tardily, happy birthday.
Describing an action performed in a slow, leisurely, or sluggish manner, often implying delay.
A common adverb meaning 'slowly' or 'at a leisurely pace'. It can imply tardiness if the slowness causes delay.
彼はゆっくりと歩いた。
He walked tardily.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'slowly' or 'sluggishly', often with a negative connotation of being tardy or inefficient.
A formal or literary adverb meaning 'slowly' or 'tardily', often used in the phrase 遅々として進まない (making little progress).
交渉は遅々として進まなかった。
The negotiations progressed tardily.
Doing something late because of unwillingness or procrastination.
An adverb meaning 'reluctantly' or 'grudgingly'. It implies doing something tardily due to hesitation.
彼は渋々宿題を始めた。
He tardily started his homework.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'dawdling' or 'dilly-dallying'. It describes tardy action due to reluctance or laziness.
The English word 'tardily' is quite formal and rare. In most everyday situations, Japanese speakers would use more common adverbs like 遅れて or ゆっくり. Using a direct translation like 遅々として in casual speech would sound unnatural.
彼はのろのろと仕事をした。
He worked tardily.
ぐずぐずしないで！
Don't act so tardily!