手遅れ
ておくれ
teokure
JLPT N3nounVocabularyLevel 28 - JLPT N3
Quick answer
手遅れ (ておくれ (teokure)) means "too late". It is a Japanese noun. Pronunciation, examples, and related kanji are on this page.
Meaning
too late
Also : belated
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Example Sentences
病気の発見が手遅れになってしまった。
びょうきのはっけんがておくれになってしまった。
The disease was discovered too late.
対策を取るのが手遅れになっては、後悔しても遅いです。
たいさくをとるのがておくれになっては、こうかいしてもおそいです。
If we wait too long to take action, regret will come too late.
Kanji in this word
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
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