遅刻

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 遅刻, read ちこく, and it combines 遅, meaning late, with 刻, meaning an appointed time.
• Basic usage: 遅刻 is tardiness or arriving late for a class, job, appointment, or other scheduled occasion.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An actual late arrival and an intention to prevent one
  • Both examples use the form 遅刻. The first is a completed late arrival caused by a delayed train; the second expresses a plan to leave early and avoid being late the next day.
• A delayed train and an early departure tomorrow
  • 電車が遅れて授業に遅刻した。 — The train was delayed, so I was late for class.
  • 明日は遅刻しないよう早めに家を出よう。 — Let us leave home early tomorrow so we will not be late.