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B2 verb 9 min read

تاخیر کردن

ta'khir kardan
Examples Notes & Tips تاخیر کردن in 30 Seconds
Explanation تاخیر کردن in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'تاخیر کردن' yet. Instead, focus on the word 'دیر' (late). You might say 'من دیر آمدم' (I came late) or 'ببخشید، دیر شد' (Sorry, it's late / I'm late). This level is about basic survival. 'تاخیر کردن' is too formal for most A1 situations. Just remember that 'دیر' is the root concept of being late that you will build upon later.
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At the A2 level, you start to see compound verbs like 'دیر کردن'. You might say 'چرا دیر کردی؟' (Why are you late?). You are beginning to understand that Persian uses a noun/adverb + 'کردن' to make verbs. You might see 'تاخیر' on a sign at a bus station, but you would likely still use 'دیر کردن' when speaking. You are learning that time is important in communication.
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At the B1 level, you should begin to recognize 'تاخیر کردن' in formal listening materials, like the news or announcements. You understand that it means the same as 'دیر کردن' but is used in 'official' situations. You can start using it in your writing to sound more professional, especially in emails or school assignments. You understand the basic past and present conjugations.
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At the B2 level, which is where this word is officially introduced, you must use 'تاخیر کردن' and 'دیر کردن' correctly based on the situation. You should know that 'تاخیر کردن' is intransitive and you should be able to use it with the preposition 'در'. You also start learning the transitive version 'به تاخیر انداختن'. You can discuss delays in a variety of tenses, including the subjunctive and the present perfect.
At the C1 level, you use 'تاخیر کردن' fluently and can distinguish it from subtle synonyms like 'درنگ کردن' (to hesitate) or 'اهمال کردن' (to neglect). You can use it in complex sentence structures, such as 'با وجود تاخیر کردن در ارسال مدارک، او هنوز امیدوار بود' (Despite being late in sending the documents, he was still hopeful). You understand the nuances of bureaucratic Persian.
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At the C2 level, 'تاخیر کردن' is just one of many tools in your vocabulary. You can use it in legal, literary, and highly technical contexts. You understand its etymology and can use it in rhetorical ways. You might use it to discuss historical delays or philosophical concepts of time. You have a perfect grasp of all related idioms and formal variations, including the use of the hamza (تأخیر).
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Examples Notes & Tips

تاخیر کردن in 30 Seconds

  • A formal compound verb meaning 'to be late' or 'to delay'.
  • Used in professional, administrative, and logistical contexts like airports.
  • Composed of 'takhir' (delay) and 'kardan' (to do).
  • More formal than the common 'dir kardan' used in social life.

The Persian compound verb تاخیر کردن (tākhir kardan) is an essential term for any learner reaching the B2 level. It primarily translates to 'to be late' or 'to delay.' While the simpler word دیر کردن (dir kardan) is ubiquitous in daily, informal conversations, تاخیر کردن carries a more formal, administrative, and precise tone. It is the word you will encounter in news broadcasts, airport announcements, academic reports, and professional correspondence. Understanding this word requires looking at its components: تاخیر, an Arabic loanword meaning 'delay' or 'postponement,' and کردن, the most common Persian auxiliary verb meaning 'to do' or 'to make.'

Formal Context
In professional settings, if a project is behind schedule, you would say the project has 'تاخیر کرد'. It sounds more objective and less like a personal failing than 'دیر شد'.
Logistical Usage
Public transport systems, especially airlines and trains, use this verb exclusively. You will hear 'پرواز شماره ۷۰۴ تاخیر دارد' or 'تاخیر کرده است' to indicate a flight delay.

متاسفانه قطار به دلیل بارش برف سنگین در مسیر تاخیر کرد.

Translation: Unfortunately, the train was delayed due to heavy snowfall on the route.

The nuance of تاخیر کردن also extends to the concept of 'deferment.' In legal or bureaucratic Persian, it implies that an action that should have happened at time T is now happening at T+1. It focuses on the time discrepancy itself. For instance, in a contract, 'تاخیر در پرداخت' (delay in payment) is a specific legal condition. Using this verb shows a command of 'High Persian' or کتابی (Ketabi) style, which is vital for business and official interactions in Iran, Tajikistan, or Afghanistan.

دانشجو نباید در تحویل تکالیف خود تاخیر کند.

Translation: The student should not delay in submitting their assignments.
Social Nuance
In Iran, the concept of time can sometimes be fluid (often jokingly called 'Iranian Time'), but in academic and medical contexts, 'تاخیر کردن' is viewed strictly and professionally.

To truly master this word, one must recognize that it is an intransitive verb in this form. If you want to say 'to make someone/something late' (transitive), you would use تاخیر انداختن (to throw/put into delay) or به تاخیر انداختن. This distinction is crucial at the B2 level where precision in transitivity marks a sophisticated speaker. For example, 'من تاخیر کردم' (I was late) vs 'ترافیک سفر ما را به تاخیر انداخت' (The traffic delayed our trip).

چرا در پاسخ دادن به نامه من تاخیر کردید؟

Translation: Why did you delay in answering my letter?

Using تاخیر کردن correctly involves understanding its conjugation as a compound verb. In Persian, compound verbs consist of a 'non-verbal element' (the noun or adjective) and a 'light verb' (the auxiliary). Here, تاخیر remains static while کردن changes to reflect tense, person, and mood. This structure is the backbone of Persian grammar, and mastering it allows you to form thousands of other verbs.

Present Tense
To say 'I am delaying' or 'I delay,' you use the present stem of کردن, which is 'کن'. So: 'من تاخیر می‌کنم'. This is rarely used for personal lateness (where 'دیر می‌کنم' is preferred) but common in describing processes: 'این سیستم در پردازش داده‌ها تاخیر می‌کند' (This system delays in processing data).

اگر در پرداخت اجاره تاخیر کنید، جریمه خواهید شد.

Translation: If you delay in paying the rent, you will be fined.

In the past tense, we use the past stem 'کرد'. This is very common for explaining why something didn't happen on time. 'او در رسیدن به فرودگاه تاخیر کرد' (He was late reaching the airport). Note the use of the preposition 'در' (in) which often follows this verb to specify what was delayed. You 'delay in' something. This prepositional pattern is a key marker of B2 proficiency.

اتوبوس بیش از حد معمول تاخیر کرد.

Translation: The bus was delayed more than usual.
The Subjunctive Mood
When expressing necessity or doubt, use 'بـ' + present stem. 'نباید تاخیر بکنید' (You shouldn't delay). In modern Tehrani Persian, the 'بـ' is often dropped in compound verbs, so 'نباید تاخیر کنید' is also perfectly acceptable and very common.

Another advanced usage involves the perfect tenses. 'هواپیما تاخیر کرده است' (The plane has delayed / is late). This describes a present state resulting from a past action. When you arrive at the gate and see the empty tarmac, this is the tense you use. It implies the delay is ongoing or its effects are currently relevant. Mastering these subtle shifts in tense with 'تاخیر کردن' allows you to navigate professional environments in Iran with confidence.

امیدوارم در ارسال مدارک تاخیر نکنید.

Translation: I hope you do not delay in sending the documents.

If you walk through Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) in Tehran, تاخیر کردن is a word you will hear every few minutes. It is the official language of logistics. Unlike the informal 'دیر کردن', which you might use when meeting a friend for coffee, 'تاخیر کردن' is the voice of authority. It appears on digital display boards as 'تاخیر' (Delay) and is spoken by announcers to manage the expectations of hundreds of passengers.

The Newsroom
On channels like IRINN or BBC Persian, reporters use this verb to discuss political processes. 'تصویب لایحه در مجلس تاخیر کرد' (The passing of the bill in parliament was delayed). Here, it conveys a sense of formal procedure being interrupted.

گوینده خبر گفت: پروازهای خروجی به دلیل مه غلیظ تاخیر کرده‌اند.

Translation: The news anchor said: Outbound flights have been delayed due to thick fog.

In the corporate world of Tehran or Mashhad, you will hear this word during board meetings or in emails. If a supplier is late with a shipment, the procurement manager won't say 'دیر کردند' (which sounds a bit childish or overly personal); they will say 'در تحویل کالا تاخیر کردند'. This maintains a professional distance and frames the issue as a contractual or process-oriented delay rather than a personal slight.

مدیر پروژه بابت تاخیر کردن در اتمام کار پوزش خواست.

Translation: The project manager apologized for the delay in finishing the work.
Academic Settings
University professors use this term in their syllabi: 'هرگونه تاخیر در تحویل پروژه موجب کسر نمره خواهد شد' (Any delay in project submission will result in a grade deduction).

Finally, you will hear it in the medical field. Doctors might talk about 'تاخیر در رشد' (delay in growth) or 'تاخیر در درمان' (delay in treatment). In these contexts, the word is purely clinical and descriptive. It lacks the emotional baggage of 'being late' and instead functions as a technical term for a temporal lag. For a B2 student, being able to switch from 'دیر کردن' in the hallway to 'تاخیر کردن' inside the classroom or office is a sign of true linguistic maturity.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with تاخیر کردن is confusing it with its informal counterpart دیر کردن. While they share a basic meaning, using 'تاخیر کردن' when you are five minutes late to meet a friend for tea can sound awkwardly stiff—almost like saying 'I have experienced a temporal postponement' instead of 'I'm late.' Conversely, using 'دیر کردن' in a formal report about a multi-million dollar construction project sounds unprofessional.

Transitivity Confusion
A major pitfall is trying to make 'تاخیر کردن' transitive. You cannot 'تاخیر کردن' someone else. If you want to say 'You delayed me,' you cannot say 'تو من را تاخیر کردی'. Instead, you must use 'به تاخیر انداختن' (to throw into delay). For example: 'ترافیک مرا به تاخیر انداخت' (Traffic delayed me).

Wrong: من جلسه را تاخیر کردم.

Correct: من جلسه را به تاخیر انداختم.

Note: Use 'کردن' for being late yourself, and 'انداختن' for making something else late.

Another mistake involves the preposition. Learners often use 'برای' (for) instead of 'در' (in) when specifying the action that was delayed. In Persian, you 'delay in' an action. 'تاخیر در پرداخت' is correct; 'تاخیر برای پرداخت' is an anglicism that sounds unnatural to native ears. Pay close attention to these small connecting words as they are the 'glue' of the B2 level.

Wrong: او تاخیر شد.

Correct: او تاخیر کرد.

Explanation: 'تاخیر' is something you 'do' (کردن), not something you 'become' (شدن) in this specific compound verb structure.
The 'Dir' vs 'Takhir' Trap
Remember that 'دیر' is an adverb/adjective, while 'تاخیر' is a noun. You can say 'دیر آمدم' (I came late), but you cannot say 'تاخیر آمدم'. You must use the verb: 'تاخیر کردم'.

Lastly, learners sometimes forget that 'کردن' can be replaced by 'داشتن' in some contexts but with a change in meaning. 'تاخیر کردن' is the action of being late. 'تاخیر داشتن' is the state of having a delay. If you say 'من تاخیر دارم', it sounds like you are a flight or a bus. Stick to 'تاخیر کردم' for your own actions and 'تاخیر دارد' for schedules and objects.

To reach the C1 and C2 levels, you must be able to swap تاخیر کردن with more specific or varied synonyms depending on the context. Persian is a language rich in synonyms, often having both a 'pure' Persian (Parsi) word and an Arabic-rooted word for the same concept. Understanding these differences allows you to adjust your 'register'—the level of formality and tone of your speech.

دیر کردن (Dir Kardan)
The most common alternative. Use this for social life, friends, and family. It is less clinical and more human. 'ببخشید دیر کردم' (Sorry I'm late) is much more natural than 'ببخشید تاخیر کردم'.
تعویق انداختن (Ta'vigh Andakhtan)
Specifically means 'to postpone' or 'to put off to a later date.' Use this when a meeting is moved from Monday to Wednesday. 'جلسه به تعویق افتاد' (The meeting was postponed).

ما باید پروژه را برای مدتی به تعویق بیندازیم.

Comparison: This implies a planned delay, whereas 'تاخیر کردن' can be accidental.

Another beautiful word is درنگ کردن (Derang Kardan). This means 'to hesitate' or 'to linger.' It is often used in literature or poetic contexts. If you 'delay' in making a decision because you are thinking, 'درنگ کردن' is the perfect choice. It suggests a thoughtful pause rather than a logistical failure. 'در کار خیر حاجت هیچ استخاره نیست / درنگ مکن' (In a good deed, there is no need for divination; do not hesitate).

بیش از این در تصمیم‌گیری درنگ نکنید.

Translation: Do not hesitate (delay) in decision-making any longer.
عقب افتادن (Aghab Oftadan)
Literally 'to fall behind.' This is used when you are behind schedule or when a child is behind in their studies. 'من از درس‌هایم عقب افتادم' (I fell behind in my lessons).

Finally, the word اهمال کردن (Ehmāl Kardan) means 'to neglect' or 'to procrastinate through laziness.' If a delay is caused by someone's lack of care, this is the more accusatory and precise term. 'او در انجام وظایفش اهمال کرد' (He neglected/delayed his duties). Choosing between these words shows that you understand not just the 'what' of the delay, but the 'why' and the 'how,' which is the hallmark of an advanced Persian speaker.

Fun Fact

The root 'kh-r' also gives us 'akhar' (end) and 'akherat' (the hereafter/afterlife). So 'takhir' is literally 'ending-izing' or 'making something come at the end'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tæːˈxiːɾ kæɾˈdæn/
US /tɑːˈxiːr kɑːrˈdæn/
The primary stress is on the last syllable of the non-verbal element 'tākhír' and the last syllable of the verb 'kardán'.
Rhymes With
تغییر کردن (taghyir kardan) تقصیر کردن (taghsir kardan) تحقیر کردن (tahghir kardan) تقدیر کردن (taghdir kardan) تفسیر کردن (tafsir kardan) تعمیر کردن (ta'mir kardan) تزویر کردن (tazvir kardan) تکثیر کردن (taksir kardan)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'kh' as 'k'.
  • Putting the stress on the first syllable.
  • Merging the two words into one without a slight pause.
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Examples by Level

1

من امروز دیر آمدم.

I came late today.

A1 uses 'dir' as an adverb.

2

ببخشید، دیر شد.

Sorry, it's late.

Common A1 apology.

3

او همیشه دیر می‌آید.

He always comes late.

Present tense with 'dir'.

4

ساعت چند است؟ دیر است!

What time is it? It's late!

Using 'dir' as an adjective.

5

چرا دیر کردی؟

Why are you late?

Simple question.

6

فردا دیر نکن.

Don't be late tomorrow.

Imperative negative.

7

مدرسه دیر شد.

School is late (I'm late for school).

Idiomatic 'shodan'.

8

من دیر نمی‌رسم.

I won't arrive late.

Future intent.

1

اتوبوس ده دقیقه دیر کرد.

The bus was ten minutes late.

A2 starts using 'dir kardan'.

2

ما نباید دیر کنیم.

We shouldn't be late.

Modal 'nabayad'.

3

او در کلاس دیر کرد.

He was late for class.

Simple past.

4

چرا دیر کردید؟ ترافیک بود؟

Why were you (plural) late? Was there traffic?

Plural conjugation.

5

همیشه برای ناهار دیر می‌کند.

He is always late for lunch.

Habitual present.

6

امروز هیچ‌کس دیر نکرد.

No one was late today.

Negative subject.

7

ببخشید که کمی دیر کردیم.

Sorry that we were a bit late.

Polite apology.

8

اگر دیر کنی، فیلم شروع می‌شود.

If you are late, the movie will start.

Conditional 'if'.

1

پرواز تهران به شیراز تاخیر دارد.

The flight from Tehran to Shiraz has a delay.

B1 uses 'takhir dashtan' in official contexts.

2

لطفاً در ارسال گزارش تاخیر نکنید.

Please do not delay in sending the report.

Formal request using 'takhir kardan'.

3

نامه با دو روز تاخیر رسید.

The letter arrived with a two-day delay.

Noun usage of 'takhir'.

4

او بابت تاخیر خود عذرخواهی کرد.

He apologized for his delay.

Preposition 'babat'.

5

تاخیر در کارها باعث نگرانی مدیر شد.

Delay in tasks caused the manager concern.

Noun phrase as subject.

6

ما نمی‌خواهیم در پروژه تاخیر کنیم.

We don't want to delay the project.

Negative intention.

7

چرا در پاسخ به ایمیل من تاخیر کردید؟

Why did you delay in replying to my email?

Interrogative past.

8

اتوبوس‌ها امروز زیاد تاخیر می‌کنند.

The buses are delaying a lot today.

Present continuous sense.

1

نقص فنی باعث شد هواپیما تاخیر کند.

A technical fault caused the plane to delay.

Causative structure with 'ba'es shodan'.

2

دولت در اجرای قانون جدید تاخیر کرده است.

The government has delayed in implementing the new law.

Present perfect of a compound verb.

3

هرگونه تاخیر در پرداخت، جریمه دارد.

Any delay in payment carries a fine.

Formal legalistic warning.

4

او نباید بیش از این در تصمیم‌گیری تاخیر کند.

He should not delay in decision-making any further.

Subjunctive with 'nabayad'.

5

آیا فکر می‌کنی او در انجام وظایفش تاخیر کرده؟

Do you think he has delayed in performing his duties?

Colloquial shortened present perfect.

6

به دلیل ترافیک، در رسیدن به مقصد تاخیر کردیم.

Due to traffic, we were delayed in reaching the destination.

Using 'dar' with a gerund-like infinitive.

7

تاخیر کردن در این شرایط اصلا جایز نیست.

Delaying in these circumstances is not permissible at all.

Infinitive as a noun subject.

8

بانک در واریز حقوق کارمندان تاخیر کرد.

The bank delayed in depositing the employees' salaries.

Formal administrative past.

1

تاخیر در روند صلح، پیامدهای ناگواری خواهد داشت.

Delay in the peace process will have dire consequences.

Political discourse register.

2

او مدعی شد که شرکت آگاهانه در تحویل کالا تاخیر کرده است.

He claimed that the company consciously delayed in delivering the goods.

Reported speech with 'modda'i shod'.

3

نباید اجازه دهیم بروکراسی اداری در رشد اقتصادی تاخیر کند.

We should not let administrative bureaucracy delay economic growth.

Complex sentence with nested clauses.

4

هرچند او تاخیر کرده بود، اما عذرخواهی‌اش پذیرفته شد.

Even though he had delayed, his apology was accepted.

Concessive clause with 'harchand'.

5

تاخیر کردن در چنین پروژه‌های بزرگی اجتناب‌ناپذیر است.

Delaying in such large projects is inevitable.

Use of 'ejtenab-napazir'.

6

او بابت تاخیری که در ارسال مقاله کرده بود، توبیخ شد.

He was reprimanded for the delay he had made in sending the article.

Relative clause with 'takhiri ke'.

7

عدم مدیریت صحیح باعث شد کل سیستم تاخیر کند.

Lack of proper management caused the entire system to delay.

Abstract subject 'adam-e modiriyat'.

8

او هیچ‌گاه در یاری رساندن به دیگران تاخیر نمی‌کند.

He never delays in helping others.

Negative habitual present in a positive context.

1

تاخیر در ادراک حقیقت، گاه منجر به فجایع تاریخی می‌شود.

Delay in perceiving the truth sometimes leads to historical catastrophes.

Philosophical/Historical register.

2

تأخیر در اجرای عدالت، خود نوعی بی‌عدالتی است.

Delay in the execution of justice is itself a form of injustice.

Aphoristic style using the hamza spelling.

3

نویسنده در اتمام رمان خود سال‌ها تاخیر کرد.

The author delayed for years in finishing his novel.

Literary narrative past.

4

این تعلل و تاخیر کردن‌ها، اعتبار سازمان را خدشه‌دار می‌کند.

These procrastinations and delays damage the organization's credibility.

Pluralization of abstract nouns for emphasis.

5

او در پاسخ به ندای وجدان خود تاخیر نکرد.

He did not delay in responding to the call of his conscience.

Metaphorical usage.

6

تاخیر کردن در اصلاحات ساختاری، پاشنه آشیل این دولت است.

Delaying in structural reforms is the Achilles' heel of this government.

Usage of idioms like 'pashne-ye ashil'.

7

پژوهشگران در انتشار نتایج آزمایش تاخیر کردند تا از صحت آن مطمئن شوند.

Researchers delayed in publishing the test results to ensure their accuracy.

Complex purpose clause.

8

تاریخ نشان داده که تاخیر در بیداری ملت‌ها هزینه‌بر است.

History has shown that delay in the awakening of nations is costly.

Grand historical generalization.

Synonyms

دیر کردن تعویق افتادن درنگ کردن معطل شدن اهمال کردن تعلل کردن عقب افتادن کندی کردن

Antonyms

عجله کردن شتاب کردن به‌موقع رسیدن تعجیل کردن

Common Collocations

تاخیر در پرداخت
تاخیر در پرواز
تاخیر در ارسال
تاخیر در رشد
تاخیر در تحویل
تاخیر در پاسخگویی
تاخیر در اجرای پروژه
تاخیر در ازدواج
تاخیر در بیداری
تاخیر در رسیدگی

Common Phrases

با دو ساعت تاخیر

— With a two-hour delay.

هواپیما با دو ساعت تاخیر نشست.

بدون هیچ تاخیری

— Without any delay.

کار را بدون هیچ تاخیری انجام داد.

تاخیر غیرمجاز

— Unauthorized delay.

تاخیر غیرمجاز در محیط کار ممنوع است.

علت تاخیر

— The reason for the delay.

علت تاخیر قطار چه بود؟

جبران تاخیر

— To compensate for the delay.

باید برای جبران تاخیر بیشتر کار کنیم.

تاخیر طولانی

— A long delay.

تاخیر طولانی باعث خستگی شد.

تاخیر ناخواسته

— Unintentional delay.

این یک تاخیر ناخواسته بود.

تاخیر مکرر

— Repeated delays.

تاخیر مکرر اتوبوس‌ها مشکل‌ساز است.

تاخیر در تصمیم

— Delay in decision.

تاخیر در تصمیم باعث از دست رفتن فرصت شد.

تاخیر موجه

— Justifiable delay.

آیا شما برای تاخیر خود دلیل موجهی دارید؟

Idioms & Expressions

"تاخیر در خیر، شر است"

— Delaying a good deed is bad.

در کمک کردن درنگ نکن، چون تاخیر در خیر شر است.

Proverbial
"دیر و زود دارد ولی سوخت و سوز ندارد"

— Something might be delayed, but it will definitely happen (often used for justice or debt).

نگران نباش، پولت را پس می‌گیری؛ دیر و زود دارد ولی سوخت و سوز ندارد.

Informal
"وقت طلاست"

— Time is gold (implies one should not delay).

تاخیر نکن، وقت طلاست.

General
"فردا هم روز خداست"

— Tomorrow is also God's day (used to justify a delay, though often criticized).

چرا عجله می‌کنی؟ فردا هم روز خداست.

Informal
"کار امروز را به فردا مسپار"

— Don't leave today's work for tomorrow.

تاخیر در انجام وظیفه نکن و کار امروز را به فردا مسپار.

Formal/Didactic
"عجله کار شیطان است"

— Haste is the devil's work (used to justify taking one's time/delaying).

آرام باش، عجله کار شیطان است.

General/Religious
"درنگ جایز نیست"

— Hesitation/delay is not permitted.

سریع حرکت کن، درنگ جایز نیست.

Formal
"وقت‌کشی کردن"

— To kill time or intentionally delay.

تیم حریف داشت وقت‌کشی می‌کرد.

Neutral/Sports
"از قافله عقب ماندن"

— To fall behind the caravan (to be delayed while others progress).

اگر تاخیر کنی، از قافله عقب می‌مانی.

Literary
"دیر رسیدن بهتر از هرگز نرسیدن است"

— Better late than never.

با احتیاط رانندگی کن، دیر رسیدن بهتر از هرگز نرسیدن است.

General

Word Family

Nouns

تاخیر (delay)
متاخر (modern/recent)
تاخر (priority/posteriority)

Verbs

تاخیر کردن (to be late)
به تاخیر انداختن (to postpone)
دیر کردن (to be late - informal)

Adjectives

تاخیری (delayed/slow)
دیررس (late-ripening)
متاخر (late-period/modern)

Related

زمان (time)
ساعت (hour/clock)
عجله (haste)
صبر (patience)
نظم (order/discipline)
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Takhir' as 'Take Here'—someone is taking the time 'here' and not giving it to you, causing a delay.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant airport clock where the hands are stuck in a web of 'sticky' Arabic letters, slowing them down.

Word Web

Delayed Flight Late Payment Official Announcement Formal Apology Professional Context Arabic Root Compound Verb Preposition 'Dar'

Challenge

Try to write a formal email to a professor explaining that you will 'takhir kardan' in submitting your paper due to an illness.

Word Origin

Borrowed from Arabic 'ta'khīr' (تأخیر), which is the verbal noun of the second form of the root 'kh-r' (خ-ر), meaning 'to be behind' or 'to come after'.

Original meaning: The act of putting something behind or making it come later.

Semitic root (Arabic) + Indo-European auxiliary (Persian).
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