Spanish Phrase
No llegues tarde.
Meaning
A firm but polite way to tell someone not to arrive late. It is a negative command that uses the subjunctive mood, making it appropriate for giving instructions, reminders, or warnings about punctuality.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to stress the importance of being on time—e.g., before a meeting, a class, a flight, or any scheduled event where lateness would cause problems.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nolleguestarde
Negation (No)
The adverb 'no' is placed before the verb to negate an imperative. It turns a positive command into a negative one.
Subjunctive for Negative Commands
Negative imperatives in Spanish use the present subjunctive form of the verb. 'Llegues' is the tú‑subjunctive of 'llegar'.
Adverb of Time (tarde)
'Tarde' means 'late' and functions as an adverb modifying the verb, indicating the time aspect of the action.
🗨In Conversation
¿A qué hora empieza la reunión?
What time does the meeting start?
No llegues tarde.
Don't be late.
✕Common Mistakes
No llegas tarde.
Using the indicative 'llegas' turns the sentence into a statement, not a command.
No llegues tardes.
The adverb is 'tarde', not the noun 'tardes' (which means 'afternoons').
No llegues tarde a tiempo.
Mixing a negative command with a positive phrase creates redundancy; choose one clear instruction.
↔Alternatives
No vengas tarde.
Don't come late.
Llega a tiempo.
Arrive on time.
No te retrases.
Don't delay.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries punctuality is taken seriously for business and academic settings, while social gatherings can be more relaxed. Using 'No llegues tarde' in a professional context shows respect for others' time; in a casual setting you might soften it with 'por favor' or choose a less direct alternative like 'Llega a tiempo, por favor.'