延期をする

You’ll mostly see this phrase used with events, deadlines, ceremonies, or official releases. Grammatically, it's a noun (延期) turned into a verb phrase. You can use it in the active sense ('We are postponing') or the passive sense ('It was postponed'). For example, 試合を延期をする means 'to postpone the match.' If you're talking to a boss or a client, you’ll likely swap する for something more polite like させていただきます to sound extra professional. It's perfect for those 'Oops, the Wi-Fi is down' Zoom moments or 'I haven't finished the PowerPoint' emergencies. Just don't use it for things that don't have a set 'start time' or 'deadline'—you wouldn't 延期 your nap, you'd just 遅らせる (okuraseru) it.

Imagine you're scrolling through X (formerly Twitter) and see your favorite J-pop idol post: 「喉の調子が悪いので、ライブを延期をすることにしました」(My throat isn't great, so I've decided to postpone the live). That’s a classic use! Or maybe you’re at a Japanese airport and the display board flashes: 「天候不良のため、出発を延期をします」(Departure is postponed due to bad weather). It’s also the bread and butter of the gaming industry—looking at you, Nintendo, whenever a Zelda game gets 'polished' for another six months. In a more casual WhatsApp group, if a rainy day ruins your BBQ plans, you might text: 「雨だからバーベキューは来週に延期をしよう！」 (It's raining, so let's postpone the BBQ to next week!). It shows you're organized even when nature is being a party pooper.

Reach for this phrase when there’s a clear 'before' and 'after' date involved. Use it for weddings, concerts, business meetings, product launches, or even a date with a friend if you want to sound like you take your social life very seriously. It’s the go-to choice for any situation where a schedule has been publicly announced or agreed upon. If a project deadline is looming and your team needs more time to avoid a total burnout, 延期をする is your best friend. It sounds responsible and planned. It’s also the right choice for official announcements where you need to sound authoritative but still apologetic for the inconvenience.

Don't use 延期をする for simple personal lateness. If you’re five minutes late for coffee, don't say you 'postponed' your arrival—that makes it sound like you held a press conference about your alarm clock failing. Instead, use 遅れる (okureru). Also, avoid it for physical extensions. You don't 延期 a road or a piece of string; that’s 延ばす (nobasu). Finally, if you’re cancelling something forever, stay away from 延期. If you tell someone you’re 'postponing' your breakup, they’re going to be very confused when you never call them again. That's a job for 中止 or just being honest! Don't be that person who 'postpones' their gym membership for three years straight.

One big trap is using it for 'time' itself. You can't 時間を延期をする (postpone time). You postpone an *event* that happens *at* a time. Another common slip is forgetting the を. While 延期する is perfectly fine, if you're in a formal B2-level context, skipping the particle can sometimes make your Japanese feel a bit 'clipped' or overly casual. Also, watch out for the 'procrastination' nuance. If you’re just being lazy and putting off your homework, 先延ばしにする (sakinobashi ni suru) is the more accurate (and slightly shameful) term.

If 延期をする feels a bit too stiff, you might try 延ばす (nobasu). It's more versatile and can mean 'to extend' or 'to delay' in a broader sense. Then there’s 見送る (miokuru), which literally means 'to see off' but in a business context means 'to put off' or 'to shelve' a plan because it's not the right time. It’s like saying 'Let's wait and see.' For something more negative, like dragging your feet, use 先送りにする (sakinokuri ni suru). It carries the vibe of 'kicking the can down the road.' On the flip side, 繰り上げる (kuriageru) is the opposite—moving something *earlier*. If you manage to do that, you're a productivity wizard!

The most common variation is the polite 延期させていただきます (enki sasete itadakimasu), which basically begs for permission to postpone something you've already decided to postpone. You'll hear this constantly in Japanese customer service. Another one is 延期が決定した (enki ga kettei shita), meaning 'the postponement has been decided.' If you're talking about a long-term delay, you might see 無期限延期 (mukigen enki), which is the terrifying 'indefinite postponement.' That usually means the project is in a deep coma. In casual speech, you might just say 延期になった (enki ni natta) to say 'it got postponed' without taking the blame yourself.

Is 延期をする too formal for friends? Not necessarily, but it can sound a bit 'official.' Use 来週にしよう (Let's do it next week) for casual plans. Can I use it for a deadline? Yes, 締切を延期をする is perfect. Does it imply an apology? Usually, yes. In Japanese culture, moving a date is an inconvenience to others, so expect to follow it up with 申し訳ありません (I'm sorry). Is there a difference between 延期をする and 延期する? They mean the same thing, but the version with を emphasizes the action more and can feel slightly more deliberate or descriptive.