"Mein Zug hatte Verspätung"

[guyper]

"Mein Zug hatte Verspätung"

I realized that there is no ein that precedes Verspätung but I would like to ask if it's optional or you must really not put it in at all?

Thank you

 

[berndf]

"Verspätung haben" is a set phrase. You wouldn't say it any other way. If you know how much delay the train has. you can say: "Mein Zug hatte 10 Minuten Verspätung".

 

[elroy]

Hallo, Bernd. Wie ist es mit "Mein Zug hatte eine Verspätung von zehn Minuten"? Ist das zumindest theoretisch eine legitime Alternative?

 

[berndf]

Oh yes, of course, that is correct as well. Only if you want to say "to be delayed" without any qualification then "Verspätung haben" is a set phrase where you wouldn't insert an article even though it would make sense.
In "Mein Zug hatte eine Verspätung von zehn Minuten" you mention a concrete delay, therefore it can have an indefinite article. In "Mein Zug hatte Verspätung", "Verspätung", delay, is an abstractum, much like "Lust" in "Ich habe Lust".