延迟 en 30 secondes
- 延迟 (yánchí) means to delay or postpone, covering both intentional schedule changes and unintentional technical lags.
- It is a formal B1-level word commonly used in travel, business, and information technology contexts.
- Grammatically, it functions as both a verb (to delay) and a noun (delay/latency).
- It differs from '推迟' (postpone) by its broader application to technical processes and systemic lags.
The word 延迟 (yánchí) is a fundamental term in Chinese that describes the act of pushing an event, action, or process to a later point in time than originally planned or expected. It functions both as a verb ('to delay') and as a noun ('delay' or 'latency'). In a world increasingly defined by schedules and real-time data, understanding the nuances of 延迟 is crucial for navigating professional, social, and technical environments.
- Temporal Shift
- At its core, 延迟 implies a deviation from a set timeline. It suggests that something which should have happened 'now' or 'at time X' will now happen 'later' or 'at time Y'.
- Intentionality
- Unlike some synonyms, 延迟 can be either intentional (a strategic decision to wait) or unintentional (a result of unforeseen obstacles like traffic or technical glitches).
- Technical Latency
- In the digital age, 延迟 is the standard term for 'latency' or 'lag' in networking and gaming, referring to the time interval between a command and the response.
“由于天气原因，航班不得不延迟起飞。” (Due to weather reasons, the flight had to delay its takeoff.)
When we break down the characters, 延 (yán) means to extend, prolong, or stretch out. 迟 (chí) means late or slow. Together, they create a vivid image of 'stretching the time until it becomes late.' This word is slightly more formal than the colloquial '晚了' (wǎn le) and is preferred in news reports, business meetings, and technical documentation.
“网络延迟太高了，我没法玩游戏。” (The network latency is too high; I can't play the game.)
In a professional setting, 延迟 is often used to discuss project timelines. If a software release is delayed, managers will use 延迟 to describe the situation formally. It carries a sense of objective reporting rather than personal blame. For example, saying '项目延迟了' (The project is delayed) sounds like a statement of fact, whereas '你迟到了' (You are late) sounds like a personal criticism.
- Noun Usage
- Example: 这种药可以起延迟作用 (This medicine can have a delaying effect).
- Verb Usage
- Example: 我们可以延迟付款吗？ (Can we delay the payment?)
Using 延迟 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. It can act as a transitive verb, an intransitive verb, or a noun. This versatility makes it one of the most useful words for B1 learners and above.
1. As a Transitive Verb (延迟 + Object)
When you want to say you are delaying a specific thing, the object follows 延迟 directly. This is common for actions, events, or deadlines.
- 延迟退休 (Delay retirement)
- 延迟发货 (Delay shipment)
- 延迟截止日期 (Delay the deadline)
2. As an Intransitive Verb (Subject + 延迟)
Sometimes the subject itself is what is being delayed. This is common in technical or systemic contexts.
“由于系统升级，服务可能会延迟。” (Due to system upgrades, services may be delayed.)
3. As a Noun
When used as a noun, it often refers to the amount of time delayed or the phenomenon of latency. You will often see it paired with '高' (high) or '低' (low) in tech contexts.
- 高延迟 (High Latency)
- “我的网络有很高的延迟。” (My internet has high latency.)
- 无延迟 (No Delay)
- “这款耳机几乎没有音画延迟。” (These headphones have almost no audio-visual delay.)
4. Common Sentence Patterns
To sound more natural, try using these structures:
- [Reason] + 导致 + [Something] + 延迟
“大雨导致比赛延迟。” (Heavy rain caused the match to be delayed.) - 延迟 + [Time Duration]
“会议延迟了半个小时。” (The meeting was delayed by half an hour.)
The word 延迟 appears in various domains, each with a specific flavor. Recognizing these contexts will help you understand the speaker's intent immediately.
1. Travel and Logistics
If you are at an airport or train station in China, you will hear this word constantly. It is the formal way to announce that transport is not on time.
“各位旅客请注意，开往上海的列车将延迟到达。” (Attention passengers, the train to Shanghai will arrive delayed.)
2. Information Technology (IT) and Gaming
In the digital world, 延迟 is the translation for 'latency' or 'ping'. Gamers and IT professionals use it to describe the speed of data transmission.
- 低延迟 (Low Latency): Essential for competitive gaming.
- 延迟补偿 (Latency Compensation): A technical feature in software.
- 网络延迟 (Network Lag): The bane of every internet user.
3. Business and Finance
In contracts and formal communication, 延迟 is used for payments, deliveries, and project milestones. It sounds professional and avoids the emotional weight of 'being late'.
4. Medical and Scientific Research
Scientists use 延迟 to describe delayed reactions or the onset of symptoms. For example, '延迟反应' (delayed reaction) or '延迟满足' (delayed gratification - a famous psychological concept).
“这种药物可能会产生延迟性的副作用。” (This medication might produce delayed side effects.)
Even advanced learners sometimes stumble when choosing between 延迟 and its close relatives. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid.
Mistake 1: Using 延迟 for People
You generally do not use 延迟 to say a person is late for a meeting. For people, use 迟到 (chídào).
(I delayed 10 minutes - Sounds like you are a process.)
(I am 10 minutes late.)
Mistake 2: Confusing 延迟 with 推迟 (tuīchí)
While they both mean 'delay', 推迟 usually implies moving a scheduled event to a specific new time, often by human decision. 延迟 is more general and can describe a slow process or a technical lag.
- 推迟: “我们把会议推迟到明天。” (We postponed the meeting to tomorrow.) - Intentional change of schedule.
- 延迟: “网络延迟导致视频卡顿。” (Network delay caused the video to freeze.) - A physical or technical phenomenon.
Mistake 3: Forgetting the Noun Form
Learners often try to use 延迟 only as a verb. Remember that in tech contexts, it is almost always a noun.
To master 延迟, you must know how it fits into the family of 'time-related' words. Here is a breakdown of its synonyms and how they differ.
| Word | Nuance | Best For... |
|---|---|---|
| 延迟 (yánchí) | General delay, latency, or postponement. | Tech, transport, formal processes. |
| 推迟 (tuīchí) | To postpone a scheduled event to a later date. | Meetings, weddings, exams. |
| 耽搁 (dāngé) | To be held up or delayed by something. | Traffic, chores, personal errands. |
| 延期 (yánqī) | To extend a deadline or period. | Visas, contracts, construction projects. |
| 滞后 (zhìhòu) | To lag behind (often economic or systemic). | Economic indicators, development. |
When choosing a word, ask yourself: Is this a technical lag (延迟), a change in the calendar (推迟/延期), or was I just stuck in traffic (耽搁)?
How Formal Is It?
Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Resultative complements
Duration of time
Cause and effect structures (由于...导致)
Passive voice with 被/被迫
Nominalization of verbs
Exemples par niveau
航班延迟了。
The flight is delayed.
Simple Subject + Verb structure.
不要延迟。
Don't delay.
Negative imperative.
火车延迟十分钟。
The train is delayed by ten minutes.
Adding a duration after the verb.
会议延迟吗？
Is the meeting delayed?
Simple question with 吗.
因为雨，比赛延迟。
Because of rain, the match is delayed.
Using 因为 to show cause.
我的电脑有延迟。
My computer has a delay.
Using 延迟 as a noun.
延迟付款。
Delay the payment.
Verb + Object.
为什么延迟？
Why the delay?
Simple 'why' question.
由于天气不好，飞机延迟起飞了。
Due to bad weather, the plane's takeoff was delayed.
Using '由于' for formal cause.
这个项目不能再延迟了。
This project cannot be delayed any longer.
Using '不能再...了' for emphasis.
网络延迟很高，我没法上网。
The network latency is high; I can't go online.
Using '高' to describe the noun form.
医生延迟了手术时间。
The doctor delayed the surgery time.
Transitive verb usage.
如果延迟，请告诉我。
If there is a delay, please tell me.
Conditional '如果' clause.
我们必须延迟出发。
We must delay our departure.
Using auxiliary verb '必须'.
这个消息延迟了几天才到。
This news arrived after a delay of a few days.
Using '才' to emphasize lateness.
你会延迟交作业吗？
Will you delay submitting your homework?
Future intent question.
网络延迟是导致游戏卡顿的主要原因。
Network latency is the main reason for game stuttering.
延迟 as a subject noun.
为了确保质量，公司决定延迟发布新产品。
To ensure quality, the company decided to delay the release of the new product.
Purpose clause '为了...'.
这种药物可以延迟疼痛的发生。
This medicine can delay the onset of pain.
Abstract object '发生'.
我们不能因为一点小事就延迟整个进度。
We can't delay the entire progress just because of a small matter.
Using '就' to show a quick/unjustified result.
虽然有延迟，但结果是好的。
Although there was a delay, the result was good.
Concessive '虽然...但' structure.
他请求延迟支付房租。
He requested to delay the rent payment.
Formal verb '请求'.
系统更新通常会带来短暂的服务延迟。
System updates usually bring a brief service delay.
Adjective '短暂的' modifying the noun.
你应该尽量避免延迟回复客户的邮件。
You should try your best to avoid delaying replies to customer emails.
Using '避免' (avoid) + verb phrase.
延迟满足的能力是成功的重要因素之一。
The ability to delay gratification is one of the important factors for success.
Psychological term '延迟满足'.
政府正在考虑延迟退休年龄以应对老龄化。
The government is considering delaying the retirement age to cope with aging.
Policy-related context.
由于供应链中断，交货日期被迫延迟。
Due to supply chain disruptions, the delivery date was forced to be delayed.
Passive '被迫' (forced to).
这种技术的优势在于它能显著降低数据延迟。
The advantage of this technology lies in its ability to significantly reduce data latency.
Formal '在于' structure.
任何不必要的延迟都可能导致合同作废。
Any unnecessary delay could lead to the contract becoming void.
Using '任何' (any) for emphasis.
他试图延迟面对那个残酷的事实。
He tried to delay facing that cruel fact.
Abstract emotional context.
音频和视频不同步，可能是因为处理延迟。
Audio and video are out of sync, possibly due to processing delay.
Technical explanation.
我们必须在不延迟进度的前提下节省成本。
We must save costs on the premise of not delaying the progress.
Complex '在...的前提下' structure.
货币政策的实施往往存在一定的时滞或延迟。
The implementation of monetary policy often has a certain time lag or delay.
Economic terminology '时滞'.
这种心理防御机制旨在延迟焦虑的爆发。
This psychological defense mechanism aims to delay the onset of anxiety.
Academic psychological context.
在分布式系统中，如何处理网络延迟是一个核心挑战。
In distributed systems, how to handle network latency is a core challenge.
Computer science context.
诗人通过延迟叙述，营造出一种悬疑的氛围。
The poet creates a suspenseful atmosphere by delaying the narrative.
Literary analysis.
该项目的延迟不仅是资金问题，更是管理上的失误。
The delay of the project is not just a funding issue, but more a management failure.
Correlative '不仅是...更是...'.
由于法官的延迟裁决，案件陷入了僵局。
Due to the judge's delayed ruling, the case fell into a stalemate.
Legal context.
我们需要评估这种策略对长期目标的延迟影响。
We need to evaluate the delayed impact of this strategy on long-term goals.
Strategic analysis.
尽管技术在进步，但物理极限导致的延迟仍无法完全消除。
Despite technological progress, delays caused by physical limits still cannot be completely eliminated.
Scientific philosophical context.
这种延迟性的正义，在某种程度上等同于非正义。
This kind of delayed justice is, to some extent, equivalent to injustice.
Philosophical/Legal maxim.
量子纠缠现象挑战了我们对信号延迟的传统认知。
The phenomenon of quantum entanglement challenges our traditional understanding of signal delay.
Advanced physics context.
在宏观经济调控中，识别延迟效应的周期至关重要。
In macroeconomic regulation, identifying the cycle of delayed effects is crucial.
High-level policy discussion.
他的作品中充斥着一种对死亡的延迟式恐惧。
His works are permeated with a delayed-style fear of death.
Literary criticism.
该算法旨在通过预测模型来对冲潜在的系统延迟。
The algorithm aims to hedge against potential system latency through predictive models.
Technical engineering context.
历史的延迟往往意味着更深刻的社会变革即将来临。
Historical delays often mean that more profound social changes are imminent.
Historiographical reflection.
这种延迟反馈机制在生物进化中扮演了复杂角色。
This delayed feedback mechanism played a complex role in biological evolution.
Biological science context.
在极端高频交易中，微秒级的延迟都足以致命。
In extreme high-frequency trading, even microsecond delays are enough to be fatal.
Finance/Tech niche context.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Souvent confondu avec
Used for people being late.
Used for moving a scheduled event.
Used for extending a deadline.
Expressions idiomatiques
Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Comment l'utiliser
延迟 doesn't always mean someone's fault; it can be systemic.
Technical contexts use 延迟 as a noun; social contexts use it as a verb.
- Using 延迟 for personal lateness.
- Confusing 延迟 with 延长 (to lengthen physically).
- Using '很延迟' instead of '延迟很高'.
- Using 延迟 when 推迟 is more appropriate for a meeting.
- Forgetting that 延迟 can be a noun.
Astuces
Context Matters
Use 延迟 for systems and 推迟 for people's plans.
Verb-Object
延迟 can take objects like '付款' or '退休'.
Tone Pair
Both characters are second tone. Keep your voice rising.
Gaming Tip
If your game is slow, check your '延迟' (ping).
Business Tone
Use 延迟 in emails to sound objective about project shifts.
Reading Signs
Look for 延迟 on airport screens to know if your flight is late.
Social Issues
延迟退休 is a very common topic in Chinese news today.
Visualizing
Imagine a clock being 'extended' (延) until it is 'late' (迟).
Synonym Check
If you are stuck in traffic, use 耽搁, not 延迟.
Academic Use
In essays, use 延迟效应 to describe time-lagged impacts.
Mémorise-le
Origine du mot
Ancient Chinese characters. '延' depicts a person walking and stretching a path. '迟' depicts a person walking slowly (like a rhinoceros in some ancient forms).
Contexte culturel
Netizens use '延迟退休' as a hot topic for discussing social welfare and economic pressures.
In Chinese business, a delay in response might not always be technical; it could be a subtle way of showing lack of interest or needing more time for internal consensus.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"你的网络延迟高吗？"
"你觉得延迟退休怎么样？"
"如果航班延迟了，你会做什么？"
"你是一个擅长延迟满足的人吗？"
"这个项目为什么又延迟了？"
Sujets d'écriture
描述一次让你难忘的航班延迟经历。
谈谈你对‘延迟满足’的看法。
如果你的生活可以延迟某件事，你会选择什么？
写一段关于网络延迟如何影响你心情的文字。
分析一个项目延迟的主要原因。
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, you should say '我迟到了' if you are late. '我延迟了' sounds like you are a computer process.
推迟 is usually an intentional change of a schedule (like a meeting). 延迟 is more general and can be a technical lag or an unintentional delay.
Yes, it is more formal than '晚' or '等'. It is used in news, business, and tech.
You say '网络延迟' (wǎngluò yánchí) or simply '延迟'.
Yes, it means 'delay' or 'latency'.
It means 'delayed gratification'—waiting for a better reward later.
延误 (yánwù) usually implies a negative consequence or a mistake that caused the delay.
低延迟 (dī yánchí).
Yes, but '延期' (yánqī) is more common for deadlines.
Not always. '延迟满足' is considered a positive trait.
Teste-toi 180 questions
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Mastering '延迟' allows you to describe time-shifts professionally. Whether you are talking about a late flight, a slow internet connection, or a strategic business delay, this word provides the necessary precision and formal tone.
- 延迟 (yánchí) means to delay or postpone, covering both intentional schedule changes and unintentional technical lags.
- It is a formal B1-level word commonly used in travel, business, and information technology contexts.
- Grammatically, it functions as both a verb (to delay) and a noun (delay/latency).
- It differs from '推迟' (postpone) by its broader application to technical processes and systemic lags.
Context Matters
Use 延迟 for systems and 推迟 for people's plans.
Verb-Object
延迟 can take objects like '付款' or '退休'.
Tone Pair
Both characters are second tone. Keep your voice rising.
Gaming Tip
If your game is slow, check your '延迟' (ping).
Exemple
由于天气原因，航班被延迟了。
Contenu associé
Grammaire lie
Plus de mots sur general
一下儿
A1Cela signifie 'un peu' ou 'un instant', utilisé après un verbe pour adoucir le ton.
点儿
A1Un petit peu ou une certaine quantité. Utilisé après un verbe pour signifier 'un peu de' et après un adjectif pour une comparaison.
有点儿
A1un peu (avec une connotation négative)
一下
A2Un peu; un moment (utilisé après un verbe pour adoucir le ton).
一点儿
A1Un petit peu ; une petite quantité.
一会儿
A1Un moment, un court instant.
一部分
B1Une partie ; une portion ; une minorité.
异样
B1Quelque chose d'inhabituel ou de différent de la normale.
关于
A1Préposition signifiant 'à propos de' ou 'concernant'. Elle est utilisée pour introduire un sujet ou définir le domaine d'un livre ou d'une discussion.
快要
A2Le train est sur le point d'arriver à la gare. Il va bientôt pleuvoir, prends un parapluie.
