How do you use "Better late than never" in a sentence?

You finally replied! Better late than never. I'm starting to exercise at 50—better late than never. He apologized after five years. Better late than never, I suppose.

Better late than never

Q: What does "Better late than never" mean?

It's preferable to do something late than not at all Used to acknowledge that while something is delayed, at least it's happening. Can be sincere (genuine acceptance) or sarcastic (criticism of tardiness).

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: It's preferable to do something late than not at all

迟做总比不做好

Más vale tarde que nunca

遅れてもやらないよりまし

늦더라도 안 하는 것보다는 낫다

Used to acknowledge that while something is delayed, at least it's happening. Can be sincere (genuine acceptance) or sarcastic (criticism of tardiness).

用于承认某事虽然迟了，但至少做了。可以是真诚的（真正的接受），也可以是讽刺的（对迟到的批评）。

Se usa para reconocer que, aunque algo llega con retraso, al menos se hace. Puede ser sincero (aceptación genuina) o sarcástico (crítica por la tardanza).

遅れているが少なくとも実行されていることを認めるために使われる。誠意を持って（本当に受け入れて）使うこともあれば、皮肉（遅刻への批判）として使うこともある。

늦게라도 도착하거나, 끝내거나, 무언가를 하는 것이 아예 안 하는 것보다 낫다는 위안의 말. 진심일 수도 있고 약간 빈정대는 뉘앙스일 수도 있다.

Examples

You finally replied! Better late than never.
你终于回复了！迟到总比没有好
¡Por fin contestaste! Más vale tarde que nunca
やっと返事くれたね！遅くてもないよりましだ
드디어 답장했네! 늦더라도 안 하는 것보다 낫지.
I'm starting to exercise at 50—better late than never.
我50岁开始锻炼——亡羊补牢，为时未晚
Empiezo a hacer ejercicio a los 50, más vale tarde que nunca
50歳で運動を始める——遅くてもやらないよりまし
50살에 운동을 시작한다—늦었지만 안 하는 것보다 낫다.
He apologized after five years. Better late than never, I suppose.
他五年后才道歉。迟到总比没有好吧
Se disculpó al cabo de cinco años. Más vale tarde que nunca, supongo
5年後に謝ってきた。遅くてもしないよりましか
5년 만에 사과했다. 늦었지만 안 하는 것보다는 나으려나.

Pronunciation

/ˈbetə leɪt ðən ˈnevə/

Usage Guide

Context: lateness, delay, acceptance

Tone: philosophical or sarcastic

✓ Do Say

Better late than never
迟到总比不到好
Más vale tarde que nunca
遅くてもやらないよりまし
늦더라도 안 하는 것보단 나아
Well, better late than never
好吧，迟做总比不做好
Bueno, más vale tarde que nunca
まあ、遅くてもないよりまし
뭐, 안 하는 것보단 낫지

✗ Don't Say

Can be sincere or sarcastic
可以是真诚的也可以是讽刺的
Puede ser sincero o sarcástico
誠実にも皮肉にも使える
진심으로도 비꼬는 의미로도 쓸 수 있음

Common Mistakes

Missing the potential sarcasm

Origin & History

A very old proverb found in various forms across cultures. The Roman historian Livy used a similar expression, and Geoffrey Chaucer included it in his Canterbury Tales.

Etymology: Ancient proverb, found in Chaucer

First recorded: Medieval period, Chaucer's time

Cultural Context

Era: Medieval onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Very common saying

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Better late than neverIt's better late than never