adjective
late
A1
“spät” means late or tardy. Both adjective and adverb: attributive forms follow adjective endings, predicative remains “spät”. Comparative: später; superlative: am spätesten. Antonym: früh. Common collocations: zu spät (too late). Not irregular; gradable and used in time expressions. Also used in temporal adverbs like 'spät abends'.
Examples
Der Bus fuhr, obwohl es für die Reisenden schon spät war, und viele waren müde.
The bus departed although it was already late for the travelers, and many were tired.
Es ist sehr spät; wir sollten nach Hause gehen.
It's very late; we should go home.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a clock showing a late hour to remember 'spät'
spaet sounds like English 'spate' (a lot later)
not applicable for adjectives
Notes
Comparative and superlative forms are regular (später, am spätesten).