now (when it is already much too late), at this stage
Used with question words (such as who, what, or why) and an affirmative predicate. This expresses disbelief, frustration, or exasperation that something is being asked or stated at such a late stage.
The adverb
Who are you going to ask at this late stage?
Wh-word +
The question word is placed before the adverb
何を
What are you starting now when it is already so late?
Both word orders are completely natural and carry the same nuance of frustration or pointlessness. It is common to end the sentence with the question particle か.
Used directly with a negative verb or predicate to state that it is too late to do something, meaning the action cannot or will not happen.
Placed before a negative verb to show the action is no longer viable or possible.
It is too late to turn back now.
It cannot be changed at this point.
This formation is frequently paired with verbs expressing ability (potential form) in the negative to emphasize that the opportunity has passed.
Used with conditional structures meaning 'even if' to express that even if an action is taken now, it will not change the outcome because it is simply too late.
Uses the て form of a verb combined with も to mean 'even if you do'.
Even if you apologize now, it is too late.
Uses the informal past tense (た form) followed by ところで to strongly assert that an action is pointless at this point.
Even if we run at this point, we will not make it in time.
The negative predicate following these structures often includes words indicating pointlessness, such as 仕方がない (it cannot be helped), 無駄 (useless), or verbs indicating failure like 間に合わない (will not make it in time).