How to say "delay" in Japanese

• 遅れおくれJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe noun for a delay or lag: running behind schedule or falling behind. Use it for lateness in general, with no particular field implied.
  私達わたしたちは多少たしょうの遅おくれを考慮こうりょに入いれなければいけません。↗

  We must allow for some delays.
• 遅延ちえんCommon
  suru verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveA noun for delay; latency is also one of its senses. As a noun for delay it overlaps with 遅れ, and when 'delay' means latency this is the word for it.
  僕ぼくは電車でんしゃが遅延ちえんしたので遅刻ちこくした。↗

  I was late as a result of the train delay.
• 遅らせるおくらせるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe verb for delaying: to delay or postpone something, put it off, or slow it down. Use it when you need to state the action of delaying rather than name the delay.
  歯医者はいしゃに行いくのをどうして遅おくらせているのか。↗

  Why have you delayed seeing the dentist?
• 遅滞ちたいCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA noun for delay; procrastination is its other sense. Use it when the idea of putting things off is what you want to convey.
• 遅配ちはいCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbDelay in payment, delivery, or rationing and the like: money, goods, or supplies that do not arrive on time. It is not the word for lateness in general.

Use 「遅れ」 for delay, lag, or falling behind in general, 遅延 for delay, including latency, 「遅らせる」 to delay or postpone something, 遅滞 for delay or procrastination, and 遅配 for delayed payment, delivery, or rationing.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 遅れおくれdelay
• 遅延ちえんdelay
• 遅らせるおくらせるto delay
• 遅滞ちたいdelay
• 遅配ちはいdelay (in payment, delivery, rationing, etc.)
• 遅らすおくらすto delay
• 延滞えんたいarrears
• 滞りとどこおりstagnation
• 停滞ていたいstagnation
• ディレイdelay
• 先延ばしさきのばしdelay
• 遷延せんえんdelay
• 延引えんいんdelay
• 凝滞ぎょうたいdelay
• 先延ばしにするさきのばしにするto delay
• 渋滞じゅうたいdelay
• 引き伸ばすひきのばすto delay (e.g. the end of a meeting)
• ずらすto move (an appointment, meeting, etc.)
• 引っ張るひっぱるto delay