Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== tuīchí: 推迟 - To Postpone, Delay, Put Off ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** tuichi, 推迟, postpone in Chinese, delay in Chinese, put off a meeting Chinese, reschedule in Chinese, Chinese word for postpone, 推迟 meaning, 推迟 vs 延迟, 推迟 example sentence, HSK 4 vocabulary. * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese verb **推迟 (tuīchí)**, which means "to postpone" or "put off." This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage in daily conversation, business, and travel. Understand the key differences between 推迟 (tuīchí), 延迟 (yánchí), and 拖延 (tuōyán) with clear examples to avoid common mistakes and master how to reschedule plans like a native speaker. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** tuīchí * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** To postpone or delay a planned event to a later time or date. * **In a Nutshell:** **推迟 (tuīchí)** is the most common and neutral way to say you're moving something on the calendar. It implies a conscious decision to reschedule an event, meeting, or deadline. Think of it as actively "pushing" an event to a "later" time. It’s not about being accidentally late; it’s about intentionally changing the schedule. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **推 (tuī):** This character means "to push." You can imagine physically pushing an object forward. In this context, it's used more abstractly to mean "pushing" an event forward in time. * **迟 (chí):** This character means "late" or "delayed." It’s the same character used in the word for being late, `迟到 (chídào)`. * The combination is very logical: you **push (推)** something so that it happens **late (迟)** or at a later time. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While **推迟 (tuīchí)** is a straightforward, functional word, its use touches upon cultural views of time, planning, and relationships. In Western, particularly American, culture, postponing plans can sometimes carry a negative connotation, suggesting poor planning or a lack of commitment. Punctuality and adherence to a set schedule are often highly prized. In China, while punctuality is also important, there can be a greater underlying flexibility. The act of postponing something (**推迟**) is often seen as a practical adjustment to changing circumstances. As long as the postponement is communicated clearly and respectfully, it is usually accepted without issue. In business or formal settings, providing a legitimate reason for the **推迟** is crucial for maintaining face (`[[面子]] (miànzi)`). It shows respect for the other person's time and re-affirms the importance of the event, even though its timing has changed. The focus is less on the inconvenience and more on the mutual understanding and adaptation required to maintain a good relationship (`[[关系]] (guānxì)`). ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **推迟 (tuīchí)** is a versatile word used in many modern contexts. Its formality depends on the situation. * **Formal / Business Context:** This is a very common and appropriate word in the workplace. It's used for rescheduling meetings, pushing back deadlines, or delaying project launches. It is neutral and professional. * //"We have decided to postpone the press conference."// (我们决定**推迟**新闻发布会。) * **Informal / Daily Life:** You can use it with friends and family for postponing dinners, trips, or casual get-togethers. It sounds natural and clear. * //"Let's postpone our movie night to next week, okay?"// (我们把电影之夜**推迟**到下周好吗？) * **Public Announcements:** You will frequently hear or see **推迟** in public announcements regarding transportation, events, or exams. * //"Due to the typhoon, the flight has been postponed."// (因为台风，航班被**推迟**了。) ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 会议被**推迟**到下周一了。 * Pinyin: Huìyì bèi **tuīchí** dào xià zhōuyī le. * English: The meeting has been postponed to next Monday. * Analysis: A classic example of using the passive voice with `被 (bèi)` to show that the meeting was postponed by an external decision. `到 (dào)` is used to indicate the new time. * **Example 2:** * 由于天气不好，我们不得不**推迟**我们的旅行计划。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú tiānqì bù hǎo, wǒmen bùdébù **tuīchí** wǒmen de lǚxíng jìhuà. * English: Due to the bad weather, we had no choice but to postpone our travel plans. * Analysis: `由于 (yóuyú)` introduces the reason for the postponement. `不得不 (bùdébù)` means "have no choice but to," emphasizing that the decision was necessary. * **Example 3:** * 婚礼因为疫情**推迟**了。 * Pinyin: Hūnlǐ yīnwèi yìqíng **tuīchí** le. * English: The wedding was postponed because of the pandemic. * Analysis: A simple and common sentence structure. `因为 (yīnwèi)` states the reason directly. The `了 (le)` indicates a completed change of state. * **Example 4:** * 老板，我能把这个项目的截止日期**推迟**几天吗？ * Pinyin: Lǎobǎn, wǒ néng bǎ zhège xiàngmù de jiézhǐ rìqī **tuīchí** jǐ tiān ma? * English: Boss, can I postpone the deadline for this project by a few days? * Analysis: This shows how to ask for a postponement. The `把 (bǎ)` structure is used to bring the object (the deadline) before the verb. * **Example 5:** * 今天的约会可以**推迟**一下吗？我有点不舒服。 * Pinyin: Jīntiān de yuēhuì kěyǐ **tuīchí** yīxià ma? Wǒ yǒudiǎn bù shūfu. * English: Can we postpone our date today? I'm not feeling well. * Analysis: A polite and informal way to request a postponement in a personal situation. `一下 (yīxià)` softens the verb, making the request sound more casual. * **Example 6:** * 演唱会已**推迟**，新日期将另行通知。 * Pinyin: Yǎnchànghuì yǐ **tuīchí**, xīn rìqī jiāng lìngxíng tōngzhī. * English: The concert has been postponed; the new date will be announced separately. * Analysis: This is a formal announcement style. `已 (yǐ)` is a formal way of saying "already," and `将 (jiāng)` is a formal way to say "will." * **Example 7:** * 他决定**推迟**他的退休计划。 * Pinyin: Tā juédìng **tuīchí** tā de tuìxiū jìhuà. * English: He decided to postpone his retirement plan. * Analysis: A straightforward sentence showing a personal decision. **推迟** works for long-term plans as well as short-term events. * **Example 8:** * 不要把今天的工作**推迟**到明天。 * Pinyin: Búyào bǎ jīntiān de gōngzuò **tuīchí** dào míngtiān. * English: Don't postpone today's work until tomorrow. * Analysis: This is a common piece of advice, similar to the English proverb "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today." It highlights the negative sense of postponing when it borders on procrastination. * **Example 9:** * 如果下雨，运动会就**推迟**举行。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ xià yǔ, yùndònghuì jiù **tuīchí** jǔxíng. * English: If it rains, the sports meet will be postponed. * Analysis: Demonstrates a conditional postponement using the `如果...就... (rúguǒ...jiù...)` structure. `举行 (jǔxíng)` means "to hold (an event)." * **Example 10:** * 由于技术问题，新产品的发布会被无限期**推迟**。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú jìshù wèntí, xīn chǎnpǐn de fābùhuì bèi wúxiànqī **tuīchí**. * English: Due to technical issues, the new product launch has been postponed indefinitely. * Analysis: Shows how adverbs can modify **推迟**. `无限期 (wúxiànqī)` means "indefinitely" or "for an unlimited period." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **推迟 (tuīchí)**, **延迟 (yánchí)**, and **拖延 (tuōyán)**. * **推迟 (tuīchí) vs. 延迟 (yánchí):** * **推迟 (tuīchí)** implies **agency and rescheduling**. It's a conscious decision to move an event to a later time. //Example: 我们**推迟**了会议 (Wǒmen tuīchíle huìyì) - We postponed the meeting.// * **延迟 (yánchí)** implies a **delay, often due to external factors**, and doesn't necessarily mean the event is formally rescheduled. It's more about the state of being late. //Example: 航班**延迟**了 (Hángbān yánchíle) - The flight is delayed.// * //A simple rule:// If you are making a choice to move the event, use **推迟**. If an external force is making it late, **延迟** is often more appropriate. * **推迟 (tuīchí) vs. 拖延 (tuōyán):** * **推迟 (tuīchí)** is neutral. It's simply an act of rescheduling. * **拖延 (tuōyán)** is **negative** and means "to procrastinate" or "to stall." It implies you are delaying something intentionally, often out of laziness or unwillingness. * **Incorrect:** ~~我把我的作业**推迟**到最后一分钟才做。~~ (This sounds like you formally rescheduled your homework.) * **Correct:** 我把我的作业**拖延**到最后一分钟才做。(Wǒ bǎ wǒ de zuòyè tuōyán dào zuìhòu yī fēnzhōng cái zuò.) - I procrastinated on my homework until the last minute. * **Common Mistake: Using 推迟 for "Running Late"** * Do not use **推迟** to say a person or vehicle is running late. Use `[[迟到]] (chídào)` for people being late or `[[晚点]] (wǎndiǎn)` for transportation. * **Incorrect:** ~~公共汽车**推迟**了。~~ * **Correct:** 公共汽车**晚点**了。(Gōnggòng qìchē wǎndiǎnle.) - The bus is late/delayed. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[延迟]] (yánchí) - To delay. A close synonym, but often used for delays caused by external factors rather than a conscious decision to reschedule. * [[延期]] (yánqī) - To postpone, to extend a time limit. Very similar to 推迟, but often sounds slightly more formal and is frequently used for deadlines, contracts, and visas. * [[改期]] (gǎiqī) - To change a date/time. This word focuses specifically on the action of "changing the date" and is a very direct way to talk about rescheduling. * [[拖延]] (tuōyán) - To procrastinate, to stall. A negative synonym that implies intentionally and unnecessarily putting something off. * [[提前]] (tíqián) - To move up (a date), to do in advance. The direct antonym of 推迟. * [[准时]] (zhǔnshí) - On time, punctual. The opposite concept of being late or delayed. * [[晚点]] (wǎndiǎn) - To be late or behind schedule. Primarily used for transportation like trains, planes, and buses. * [[迟到]] (chídào) - To be late, to arrive late. Used for people arriving after the scheduled time.