tarde

The part of the day between noon or lunchtime and evening, typically from around 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. In Spanish-speaking cultures, it can also refer to the social period after the main midday meal and before dinner, often a time for relaxation, social gatherings, or light work, which may not have a precise equivalent in English cultural time divisions, going beyond just 'afternoon' to encompass a specific segment of the day's routine.

• Por la tarde, iremos al parque con los niños. — In the afternoon, we will go to the park with the children.
• La reunión será esta tarde. — The meeting will be this afternoon.
• Pasamos una tarde muy agradable charlando. — We spent a very pleasant afternoon chatting.

Occurring, arriving, or done after the expected or usual time; not on time. This adjective can be used in a gender-neutral form, or inflected to agree with feminine nouns (tarda) and their plurals (tardas), though the invariable form is very common.

• No llegó a la cita porque ya era muy tarde. — He didn't arrive for the appointment because it was already very late.
• Es tarde para cambiar de opinión ahora. — It's late to change your mind now.
• Las flores tardas de este año son preciosas. — This year's late flowers are beautiful.

At a time that is past the usual, expected, or appropriate moment. It can also refer to an unspecified later time in the day or evening, or a general delay in an action or event, often implying a point beyond what is considered early or prompt, and sometimes carrying a cultural nuance of 'later in the day' that isn't fully captured by a single English adverb.

• Llegamos tarde al concierto. — We arrived late at the concert.
• Es mejor tarde que nunca. — It's better late than never.
• Te llamo más tarde para confirmar. — I'll call you later to confirm.