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B1 verb #2,000 most common 9 min read

延期

yanqi Top 2,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 延期 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 延期 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '延期' (yánqī) as a way to say 'later' for official things. Even though it is a B1 word, you might hear it if your Chinese class is moved to a different day. It means a date is changed to a later one. For example, if a party was on Friday but now it is on Sunday, that is a '延期'. At this level, just remember that '延' means 'longer/extend' and '期' means 'time'. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet, but knowing it helps you understand when a schedule changes. It's like saying 'not now, but later'. In simple Chinese, you might just say '晚一点' (a bit later) or '改天' (another day), but '延期' is the 'grown-up' word for these situations. If you see this word on a sign at a shop or a school, it usually means something is not happening today as planned. It's a very useful word for anyone living in a Chinese-speaking environment because schedules change often!

For A2 learners, '延期' (yánqī) is an important word for managing your life in China or with Chinese speakers. It specifically means to postpone a deadline or an event. You can use it in simple structures like '延期一周' (postpone for one week) or '延期到明天' (postpone until tomorrow). At this level, you should start to distinguish it from '迟到' (chídào), which means being late yourself. '延期' is about the schedule itself being moved. For example, if you have a homework assignment due on Monday, but the teacher says you can give it on Wednesday, the teacher has '延期' the deadline. You might also see this word when you are traveling; if a flight is moved to the next day, the airline might use '延期'. It is a formal word, so using it makes you sound more polite and professional than just saying '改时间' (change time). Try to use it when you need more time for something, like '我可以延期交作业吗？' (Can I delay submitting my homework?).

At the B1 level, '延期' (yánqī) is an essential vocabulary item for workplace and academic communication. You should understand that it functions as both a verb ('to postpone') and a noun ('postponement' or 'extension'). You are expected to use it with specific collocations like '申请延期' (apply for an extension), '签证延期' (visa extension), and '延期交货' (delayed delivery). This level requires you to distinguish '延期' from '推迟' (tuīchí). While both mean to postpone, '延期' is more focused on deadlines, periods of validity, and formal schedules, whereas '推迟' is often used for the start time of events or meetings. You should also be comfortable using '延期至' (postpone until) to specify a new date. For example, '会议延期至下午三点' (The meeting is postponed until 3 PM). Understanding the neutral tone of '延期' is also important; it describes a logistical change without necessarily assigning blame, unlike '耽误' (dānwu), which implies a negative consequence of a delay.

B2 learners should be able to use '延期' (yánqī) fluently in professional and formal writing. You should be familiar with its use in passive constructions, such as '由于不可抗力，项目被迫延期' (Due to force majeure, the project was forced to be postponed). At this level, you should also recognize more formal synonyms like '展期' (zhǎnqī), which is common in financial and legal contexts, particularly regarding loans or credit. You should be able to discuss the reasons for a '延期' using sophisticated connectors like '鉴于' (jiànyú - in view of) or '由于' (yóuyú - due to). Furthermore, you should understand the nuance between '延期' and '延长' (yáncháng). While '延期' moves a point in time (the end date), '延长' increases the duration of an interval. For instance, '延长寿命' (extend life) vs. '延期还款' (postpone repayment). Your ability to use '延期' in complex sentences will demonstrate a high level of administrative and business Chinese proficiency.

At the C1 level, '延期' (yánqī) is a word you should use with precision in high-level discourse. You should be aware of its implications in contract law and international relations. For example, you might analyze the impact of a '延期执行' (stay of execution or delayed implementation) of a policy on the economy. You should also be familiar with the term '顺延' (shùnyán), which refers to a delay that follows a logical sequence, such as a holiday shifting a workday. In academic writing, you might use '延期' to describe the longitudinal extension of a study. You should be able to nuance your speech by choosing between '延期', '滞后' (zhìhòu - lag), and '拖延' (tuōyán - procrastinate) to convey exact meanings. For instance, '滞后' might be used to describe an economic recovery that lags behind other sectors, while '延期' would describe the formal postponement of a recovery plan. Your mastery of these distinctions shows a deep understanding of Chinese semantics and register.

For C2 practitioners, '延期' (yánqī) is a basic building block used within highly complex linguistic structures. You should be able to use it in classical-inflected formal Chinese (公文体) and understand its use in historical or legal texts. You might encounter it in discussions about the '延期偿付' (moratorium) of national debts or the '延期审理' (adjournment) of a high-profile court case. At this level, you are expected to understand the strategic use of '延期' in negotiations—how a party might request an extension to gain leverage or wait for better conditions. You should also be able to critique the use of the word in media, identifying when '延期' is used as a euphemism for more serious problems. Your command of the word should extend to its most abstract applications, such as the '延期满足' (delayed gratification) in psychological contexts. At C2, '延期' is not just a vocabulary word but a tool for precise conceptual manipulation in any professional or academic field.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

延期 in 30 Seconds

延期 means to postpone or extend a deadline or event.
It is a formal term used in business, law, and administration.
Commonly used for visas, project deadlines, and official meetings.
It differs from '推迟' by focusing more on the time period/deadline.

The term 延期 (yánqī) is a fundamental Chinese verb and noun used to describe the act of pushing a scheduled event, deadline, or period of validity to a later date. It is composed of two characters: 延 (yán), meaning to extend, prolong, or stretch, and 期 (qī), referring to a period of time, a date, or a deadline. Together, they form a concept that is indispensable in professional, academic, and administrative contexts.

Core Concept: To move a predetermined time limit further into the future, often due to unforeseen circumstances or administrative requirements.

因为天气原因，比赛不得不延期举行。(Due to weather conditions, the match had to be postponed.)

In a workplace setting, 延期 is the standard way to discuss project delays or deadline extensions. Unlike more informal terms, it carries a sense of official adjustment. For example, if a software release is not ready, the management will announce a 延期. It is also the specific term used for legal and bureaucratic processes, such as extending a visa (签证延期) or a contract (合同延期). Understanding this word is crucial for navigating any system where schedules are subject to change.

Administrative Usage: Commonly used in government and legal contexts to denote the extension of validity for documents like passports or permits.

我的签证快到期了，我需要去办理延期。(My visa is about to expire; I need to go and process an extension.)

The nuance of 延期 lies in its neutrality. It doesn't inherently imply a failure, but rather a logistical adjustment. While '推迟' (tuīchí) is often used for events like meetings, 延期 is preferred when talking about deadlines or durations. For instance, you '延期' a payment deadline but '推迟' a dinner date. This distinction is vital for B1 learners moving into professional Chinese environments.

Temporal Scope: It implies a continuation of the current state into a new, later timeframe, rather than a cancellation.

由于技术故障，发射任务将延期两天。(Due to technical failure, the launch mission will be delayed by two days.)

如果工程不能按时完成，我们只能请求延期交付。(If the project cannot be completed on time, we can only request a delayed delivery.)

展览将延期至下个月底。(The exhibition will be extended until the end of next month.)

Using 延期 (yánqī) correctly requires understanding its syntactic flexibility and its collocation with specific time-related nouns. It functions primarily as a verb, but its role as a noun in formal phrases like '申请延期' (apply for an extension) is equally common. In sentences, it often takes an object that represents an event, a deadline, or a period of validity.

Verb + Duration: To specify how long the delay is, place the duration immediately after the verb.

会议将延期三十分钟开始。(The meeting will be delayed by thirty minutes before starting.)

Another common structure is '延期至' (yánqī zhì), which means 'postponed until' or 'extended to'. This is used to specify the new date or time. This is particularly useful in announcements and official emails. For example, '延期至周五' (postponed until Friday). Note that '至' is a formal way of saying '到'.

Noun Usage: Used as the object of verbs like '申请' (apply), '批准' (approve), or '获得' (obtain).

老板批准了我的延期申请。(The boss approved my application for an extension.)

In business Chinese, you will frequently encounter the phrase '延期交货' (delayed delivery). This is a critical term in international trade and logistics. If a supplier cannot meet the deadline, they must inform the buyer about the 延期. Similarly, '延期付款' (deferred payment) is used in financial agreements. These collocations are fixed and should be memorized as single units of meaning.

Passive Voice: Often used with '被' when the cause of the delay is external.

由于大雨，开幕式被延期了。(Due to heavy rain, the opening ceremony was postponed.)

我们决定把截止日期延期到下周一。(We decided to extend the deadline to next Monday.)

该项目已多次延期，引起了客户的不满。(The project has been delayed multiple times, causing customer dissatisfaction.)

You will encounter 延期 (yánqī) in a variety of formal and semi-formal environments. It is a staple of news broadcasts, corporate communications, and government announcements. Whenever there is a change in a public schedule—be it a space launch, a policy implementation, or a sports event—this is the word that will be used to describe the shift.

In the Office: Listen for it in meetings or read it in emails regarding project timelines and report deadlines.

对不起，由于数据还没跑完，报告需要延期提交。(Sorry, because the data hasn't finished running, the report needs to be submitted late.)

At transportation hubs like airports or train stations, you might hear announcements about '延期' if a departure is significantly delayed, although '晚点' (wǎndiǎn) is more common for short train delays. However, if a flight is rescheduled for the next day, '延期' or '推迟' is more likely to be used in the official explanation provided to passengers.

Government & Legal: Used at the Entry-Exit Bureau (出入境管理局) when discussing visa stays.

根据新规定，该项政策的实施将延期执行。(According to the new regulations, the implementation of this policy will be postponed.)

In the context of entertainment, you might see '延期' on social media when a movie release is pushed back or a concert is rescheduled. Fans often use the term when discussing their disappointment or relief regarding these changes. It is also common in academic settings, where students might ask for an '延期' on their thesis submission (论文延期).

Academic Context: Students and professors use it for assignment deadlines and graduation dates.

由于研究进度缓慢，他申请了延期毕业。(Due to slow research progress, he applied for a graduation extension.)

银行宣布，还款期限可以延期一个月。(The bank announced that the repayment period can be extended by one month.)

由于疫情，东京奥运会被延期到2021年举行。(Due to the pandemic, the Tokyo Olympics were postponed to 2021.)

While 延期 (yánqī) is a straightforward term, learners often confuse it with other words that mean 'to delay' or 'to be late'. The most common error is using 延期 when '推迟' (tuīchí) or '耽误' (dānwu) would be more appropriate. Understanding the subtle differences in focus—whether it's the time period, the action, or the negative consequence—is key to sounding natural.

延期 vs. 推迟 (tuīchí): '延期' focuses on extending a period or deadline (time-centric). '推迟' focuses on moving the start time of an event (action-centric).

Incorrect: 我们把晚饭延期到八点吧。(Let's extend dinner to 8 o'clock - implies the duration of dinner is longer.)
Correct: 我们把晚饭推迟到八点吧。(Let's postpone dinner until 8 o'clock.)

Another mistake is using 延期 to mean 'late' in a general sense. If you are late for a meeting, you say '迟到' (chídào), not 延期. 延期 implies a formal decision to change the schedule, whereas 迟到 is a personal failure to arrive on time. Similarly, '耽误' (dānwu) is used when a delay causes a problem or wastes time, which 延期 does not necessarily imply.

延期 vs. 延长时间 (yáncháng shíjiān): '延期' changes the date/deadline. '延长时间' makes the duration of an activity longer.

Example: 考试时间延长了十分钟。(The exam time was extended by 10 minutes - more time to write.) vs. 考试日期延期了一周。(The exam date was postponed by a week.)

Learners also sometimes forget the object. 延期 usually needs to be followed by what is being delayed, or the duration. Saying just '我延期了' without context is confusing. It's better to say '我的签证延期了' or '我申请了延期'. Also, be careful with the word order when using '至' (zhì). It should be '延期至 [New Date]', not '[New Date] 延期'.

Common Collocation Error: Don't use '延期' with '人' (people). You can't '延期' a person; you can only '延期' their stay or their contract.

Incorrect: 老师把我延期了。
Correct: 老师准许我延期交作业。(The teacher allowed me to delay submitting the homework.)

由于手续不全，我的申请被延期处理了。(Due to incomplete procedures, my application processing was delayed.)

请注意，优惠活动将延期到本月底结束。(Please note that the promotion will be extended until the end of this month.)

Chinese has several words related to the concept of 'delaying' or 'extending'. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about a deadline, a physical length, a duration, or a simple postponement of an event. Here is a comparison of 延期 (yánqī) with its most common synonyms.

延期 vs. 推迟 (tuīchí): 延期 focuses on the '期' (period/date). Use it for deadlines and official extensions. 推迟 focuses on the '推' (pushing) of an action. Use it for moving a meeting or a trip to a later time.

Example: 签证延期 (Visa extension) vs. 会议推迟 (Meeting postponed).

Another similar word is '延长' (yáncháng). While 延期 changes the end date, 延长 often refers to making the duration of something longer or physically extending something. For example, you '延长' a road or '延长' the opening hours of a shop. If a shop stays open until 10 PM instead of 9 PM, that is '延长营业时间'. If a shop's closing date is moved from Monday to Wednesday, that is '延期关闭'.

延期 vs. 耽误 (dānwu): 延期 is neutral and planned. 耽误 is negative and implies that the delay has caused a loss, a mistake, or a missed opportunity.

Example: 别耽误了大事！(Don't mess up/delay the important matter!)

'展期' (zhǎnqī) is a more formal, often financial or legal synonym for 延期. It is frequently used in the context of loans (贷款展期) or exhibitions. While a B1 learner can use 延期 for most situations, recognizing 展期 in formal documents will help reach a higher level of proficiency. Finally, '拖延' (tuōyán) is used for procrastination or intentionally dragging out a process, often with a negative connotation.

Summary Table

延期: Deadlines, validity (Neutral/Formal)
推迟: Start times of events (Neutral)
延长: Duration or physical length (Neutral)
耽误: Delay causing trouble (Negative)
拖延: Procrastination (Negative)

我们不能再拖延了，必须马上做决定。(We can't procrastinate anymore; we must decide immediately.)

由于合同争议，交工日期被延期。(Due to contract disputes, the completion date was postponed.)

这项优惠政策将延期至年底。(This preferential policy will be extended until the end of the year.)

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

把 construction

Passive voice with 被

Duration of time after verbs

Preposition 至 (zhì)

Conjunction 由于 (yóuyú)

Examples by Level

老师，作业可以延期吗？

Teacher, can the homework be delayed?

Simple question using '可以...吗'.

比赛延期到明天了。

The match is postponed until tomorrow.

Using '延期到' to indicate the new time.

因为下雨，晚会延期了。

Because of rain, the party is postponed.

Using '因为' to explain the reason.

我的签证要延期。

My visa needs to be extended.

Using '要' to express necessity.

会议延期一个小时。

The meeting is delayed by one hour.

Directly adding duration after the verb.

这个活动延期举行。

This activity will be held at a later date.

Formal structure '延期举行'.

请问，我可以延期交钱吗？

Excuse me, can I delay the payment?

Polite request using '请问'.

由于天气不好，飞机延期起飞。

Due to bad weather, the plane's takeoff is delayed.

Formal reason '由于'.

我们需要申请签证延期。

We need to apply for a visa extension.

Using '申请' as a verb with '延期' as a noun.

如果项目延期，老板会不高兴。

If the project is delayed, the boss will be unhappy.

Conditional sentence '如果...会'.

这次展览将延期到月底。

This exhibition will be extended until the end of the month.

Using '将' for future tense.

他因为生病，考试延期了。

Because he was sick, the exam was postponed.

Explaining cause and effect.

请把交货日期延期两天。

Please delay the delivery date by two days.

Using '把' construction.

银行同意了我的延期还款申请。

The bank agreed to my application for delayed repayment.

Possessive '我的' with '延期还款申请'.

由于技术问题，发射任务延期了。

Due to technical problems, the launch mission was delayed.

Formal vocabulary '由于', '技术问题'.

电影的上映日期延期了一周。

The movie's release date was postponed by a week.

Using '了' to indicate a completed change.

由于不可抗力，合同的履行将延期。

Due to force majeure, the performance of the contract will be delayed.

Professional term '不可抗力'.

我们必须在签证到期前办理延期手续。

We must process the extension procedures before the visa expires.

Using '办理...手续'.

为了确保质量，项目决定延期交付。

In order to ensure quality, it was decided to delay the project delivery.

Using '为了' to express purpose.

如果您不能按时付款，可以申请延期。

If you cannot pay on time, you can apply for an extension.

Polite '如果' with '您'.

由于资金不足，工程不得不延期。

Due to insufficient funds, the project had to be delayed.

Using '不得不' for necessity.

该项政策的实施已延期至明年年初。

The implementation of this policy has been postponed until the beginning of next year.

Using '已' for already.

他申请延期毕业，以便完成论文。

He applied for a graduation extension in order to complete his thesis.

Using '以便' to show purpose.

由于罢工，航班被迫延期起飞。

Due to the strike, the flight was forced to be delayed.

Using '被迫' for passive voice.

鉴于目前的情况，我们建议将会议延期举行。

In view of the current situation, we suggest postponing the meeting.

Using '鉴于' for formal reasoning.

如果再次延期，我们将面临巨大的经济损失。

If it is delayed again, we will face huge economic losses.

Using '面临' with abstract nouns.

法院批准了被告律师提出的延期审理请求。

The court approved the request for an adjournment made by the defense lawyer.

Legal term '延期审理'.

由于供应链中断，新产品的发布不得不延期。

Due to supply chain disruptions, the launch of the new product had to be delayed.

Business term '供应链中断'.

该项目的延期引起了投资者的广泛关注和担忧。

The delay of the project has caused widespread concern and worry among investors.

Using '引起' to show impact.

我们正在与供应商协商，希望能延期交货。

We are negotiating with the supplier, hoping to delay the delivery.

Using '协商' for negotiation.

由于手续繁琐，我的申请被延期了数周之久。

Due to the cumbersome procedures, my application was delayed for several weeks.

Using '...之久' for emphasis on duration.

在特殊情况下，还款期限可以适当延期。

Under special circumstances, the repayment period can be appropriately extended.

Using '适当' as an adverb.

这种延期满足的能力被认为是成功的关键因素之一。

This ability for delayed gratification is considered one of the key factors for success.

Psychological term '延期满足'.

政府宣布对受灾企业的贷款实行延期偿付政策。

The government announced a moratorium policy on loans for disaster-affected enterprises.

Financial term '延期偿付'.

该协议的延期签署反映了双方在核心利益上的分歧。

The delayed signing of the agreement reflects the differences between the two sides on core interests.

Abstract noun usage '延期签署'.

由于证据不足，听证会被无限期延期。

Due to insufficient evidence, the hearing was postponed indefinitely.

Adverbial '无限期'.

项目的多次延期暴露出公司内部管理存在的严重漏洞。

The multiple delays of the project exposed serious loopholes in the company's internal management.

Using '暴露' to show a revealed problem.

在某些法律体系中，诉讼时效可以根据特定理由申请延期。

In some legal systems, the statute of limitations can be extended based on specific grounds.

Legal term '诉讼时效'.

延期执行死刑是中国刑法中的一项独特制度。

Suspension of the death penalty is a unique system in Chinese criminal law.

Legal term '延期执行'.

尽管面临重重困难，他依然拒绝延期交付他的研究成果。

Despite facing numerous difficulties, he still refused to delay the delivery of his research results.

Using '尽管...依然' for contrast.

在宏观经济调控中，政策效应的滞后性往往导致执行的延期。

In macroeconomic regulation, the lag effect of policies often leads to delayed implementation.

Academic term '滞后性'.

该项工程的延期竣工，实则是由于前期勘察工作的疏漏所致。

The delayed completion of the project was actually caused by omissions in the preliminary survey work.

Formal structure '...实则是由于...所致'.

辩方律师通过申请延期审理，为搜集关键证据赢得了宝贵时间。

By applying for an adjournment, the defense lawyer gained valuable time to collect key evidence.

Using '通过...为...赢得了...'.

延期偿债协议的达成，暂时缓解了该国面临的债务违约风险。

The conclusion of the debt rescheduling agreement temporarily eased the risk of debt default faced by the country.

Financial term '债务违约'.

在外交博弈中，延期表态往往是一种策略性的沉默。

In diplomatic games, delaying a statement is often a strategic silence.

Abstract concept '延期表态'.

该剧的延期上映，在社交媒体上引发了一场关于创作自由的辩论。

The delayed release of the play sparked a debate on social media about creative freedom.

Using '引发' for a social reaction.

由于历史遗留问题，边界谈判不得不一再延期。

Due to historical issues, border negotiations have had to be postponed repeatedly.

Using '一再' for repeated action.

这种延期满足的心理机制，在人类演化过程中具有重要的适应意义。

This psychological mechanism of delayed gratification has important adaptive significance in the process of human evolution.

Scientific term '适应意义'.

Synonyms

推迟延迟耽搁缓期

Antonyms

提前如期

Common Collocations

签证延期

项目延期

申请延期

批准延期

延期交货

延期付款

延期举行

延期毕业

无限期延期

被迫延期

Common Phrases

办理延期

获得延期

延期执行

延期签署

延期审理

延期开幕

延期至

延期一周

再次延期

请求延期

Often Confused With

延期 vs 推迟

延期 vs 延长

延期 vs 迟到

Idioms & Expressions

"不可抗力"

"事不宜迟"

"刻不容缓"

"遥遥无期"

"指日可待"

"旷日持久"

"缓兵之计"

"分秒必争"

"时不我待"

"计日程功"

Easily Confused

延期 vs 推迟

Focuses on moving the start time of an event.

延期 vs 延长

Focuses on making a duration longer.

延期 vs 耽误

Implies a negative consequence or wasted time.

延期 vs 拖延

Implies procrastination or intentional delay.

延期 vs 滞后

Refers to a lag in development or effect.

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

延期 is more formal than 推迟.

common error

Do not use 延期 for being late to an appointment (use 迟到).

Common Mistakes

Using 延期 instead of 迟到 for personal lateness.
Confusing 延期 (date change) with 延长 (duration change).
Putting the date before the verb (e.g., 明天延期 instead of 延期到明天).
Using 延期 for a person (e.g., 我被延期了).
Forgetting to use '至' or '到' when specifying a new date.

Tips

Duration Placement

Always place the duration (e.g., 三天) directly after 延期.

Formal Synonyms

Learn '展期' for banking and '顺延' for automatic delays.

Politeness

When asking for an extension, use '请问' and '能否'.

Visa Tip

In China, '签证延期' is the official term you'll see at the PSB.

News Keywords

Listen for '延期' in weather-related news about sports.

Email Subject

Use '关于...延期的申请' as a formal email subject.

Colloquialism

Say '往后挪一挪' or '往后延' in very casual settings.

Character Break

Remember 延 (extend) + 期 (period/date).

Neutrality

Use 延期 to avoid sounding like you are blaming someone.

Contracts

Check for '延期' clauses in any contract you sign.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Cultural Context

Foreigners in China must be very aware of '签证延期' rules to avoid fines.

Always provide a clear reason when asking for an extension to show respect.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"如果项目延期了，我们该怎么办？"

"你申请过签证延期吗？"

"为什么这次会议又延期了？"

"你觉得延期毕业有好处吗？"

"如果交货延期，我们需要赔偿吗？"

Journal Prompts

写一次你不得不延期完成的任务。

如果你可以延期生命中的某一天，你会选哪天？

讨论一下项目延期对公司的影响。

描述一次因为延期而感到庆幸的经历。

谈谈你对‘延期满足’的看法。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

延期 is usually for deadlines and official periods, while 推迟 is for moving the start time of an event like a meeting.

No, use 迟到 (chídào) for people being late.

Yes, it is a formal word suitable for business and official documents.

You say '签证延期' (qiānzhèng yánqī).

It means 'postponed until' or 'extended to' a specific date.

Yes, for example in '申请延期' (apply for an extension).

No, it is a neutral term describing a schedule change.

It means to postpone to the next logical time, like the next business day.

You say '延期交货' (yánqī jiāohuò).

Yes, '电影延期上映' is very common.