German Phrase
Was, wenn ich zu spät zum Unterricht komme?
Meaning
Literally: “What, if I am too late for the lesson?” It is used to ask about the possible consequences or to seek advice about arriving late to a class.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are unsure what will happen if you miss the start of a lesson – for example, before a class begins, when you’re running late, or when discussing punctuality with classmates or teachers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WaswennichzuspätzumUnterrichtkomme?
wenn‑Satz (conditional clause)
The clause introduced by "wenn" expresses a condition; the verb in this clause stays in the normal V2 position ("komme").
zu spät
"zu" + adjective forms an adverb meaning "too" (e.g., "zu spät" = "too late").
zum = zu dem
"zum" is the contraction of "zu dem" and is used before masculine/neuter nouns in the dative case ("Unterricht" is masculine dative).
Verb‑second (V2) rule
In main clauses the finite verb occupies the second position; after the subject "ich" the verb "komme" follows.
Comma placement
A comma separates the introductory word "Was" from the conditional clause, which is standard in written German.
🗨In Conversation
Was, wenn ich zu spät zum Unterricht komme?
What if I arrive late to class?
Dann verpasst du den Anfang, aber wir wiederholen das Wichtigste am Ende der Stunde.
Then you’ll miss the beginning, but we’ll review the most important parts at the end of the lesson.
✕Common Mistakes
Was wenn ich zu spät zum Unterricht komme?
Missing comma after "Was"; the introductory word should be separated by a comma.
Was, wenn ich zu spät zu Unterricht komme?
The preposition "zu" must combine with the dative article "dem" → "zum"; "zu Unterricht" is ungrammatical.
Was, wenn ich komme zu spät zum Unterricht?
The correct order is "zu spät" before the verb phrase; "komme zu spät" changes the meaning to "I come too late" which is less idiomatic here.
↔Alternatives
Was passiert, wenn ich zu spät zum Unterricht komme?
What happens if I arrive late to class?
Was soll ich tun, wenn ich zu spät zum Unterricht komme?
What should I do if I’m late to class?
Wie geht es weiter, wenn ich zu spät zum Unterricht komme?
How does it go on if I’m late to class?
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking schools punctuality is taken seriously; arriving late can be seen as disrespectful. Teachers often start with a brief recap, but repeated lateness may affect your grade or participation points. It’s polite to inform the teacher in advance if you know you’ll be late.