So I know that おそい, ちこく, and おくれる all can mean late. But I don't know what
context to use which in. Can I just swap おそくなります, ちこくする, and おくれる at will?
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2014-05-05T13:25:37.457
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2014-05-06T00:41:44.223
2014-05-05T17:01:35.620
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question
word-choice meaning verbs
How does one express "late" or "lateness"?
You can be "simply late" or "later than you are supposed to be".

遅くなります can be used in both cases but tilts towards the former. Both 遅刻する and
遅れる can only be used for the latter.

For example, すみません、遅れます/遅刻します is a definite admission of guilt, but
すみません、遅くなります would most commonly be interpreted as "I'm not later than I'm
supposed to be, I'm just later".
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2014-05-06T00:23:46.907
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2014-05-06T00:41:44.223
2014-05-06T00:41:44.223
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answer