yánchí: 延迟 - To Delay, Postpone, Latency

• Keywords: yanchi, 延迟, Chinese for delay, how to say postpone in Chinese, Chinese verb, network latency in Chinese, flight delay, lag, put off, defer, learn Chinese online, HSK 5 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 延迟 (yánchí), which means “to delay,” “postpone,” or “defer.” This guide explains its use in formal situations like flight delays and meeting postponements, as well as in modern tech contexts like network latency or “lag.” Understand its nuances compared to similar words like `推迟 (tuīchí)` and `拖延 (tuōyán)` to use it accurately in any situation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yánchí
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To delay, postpone, or defer an event or process to a later time.
• In a Nutshell: 延迟 (yánchí) is the standard, often formal, term for when a scheduled event or process is pushed back. It describes a shift in a timeline, frequently due to external factors beyond one's control. Think of an official announcement: “The flight has been delayed.” It's also the precise term for technical “latency” or “lag” in gaming and telecommunications.

• 延 (yán): This character means “to extend,” “prolong,” or “stretch.” The radical 廴 (yǐn) relates to walking or movement, suggesting stretching something out over time or distance.
• 迟 (chí): This character means “late” or “slow.” The radical 辶 (chuò) is also related to walking or moving. So, the character signifies moving slowly and therefore arriving late.

When combined, 延迟 (yánchí) literally means “to extend until late.” This perfectly captures the modern meaning of causing something to happen later than originally planned.

While 延迟 (yánchí) is a functional word, its use touches upon cultural attitudes towards time and planning. In China, as in many places, punctuality is officially valued, especially in business and formal settings. An announcement of a 延迟 is treated as a serious matter. However, there's a practical understanding that plans can be fluid. A 延迟 caused by weather, traffic, or complex bureaucratic processes is often met with a degree of resignation and patience. This is where it contrasts with the Western concept of “procrastination.” 延迟 (yánchí) vs. Procrastination:

• 延迟 (yánchí) is typically neutral and often implies the delay is caused by external circumstances (e.g., bad weather, technical issues). It's about an event's timeline shifting.
• The English concept of “procrastination” is better translated by 拖延 (tuōyán). This term carries a negative connotation, implying someone is intentionally and lazily putting something off.

Understanding this difference is key: a project being 延迟 (delayed) might be due to logistical problems, but a person 拖延 (procrastinating) is seen as being irresponsible.

延迟 is versatile but generally carries a slightly formal or technical tone.

• Official Announcements
  • This is the most common usage. You will see and hear it constantly in airports, train stations, and for official event scheduling.
  • Example: 航班延迟 (hángbān yánchí) - Flight delay.
• Technology and Gaming
  • In the digital age, 延迟 is the standard term for “latency” or “lag.”
  • Example: 网络延迟 (wǎngluò yánchí) - Network latency/lag.
• Business and Projects
  • Used formally to discuss changes in deadlines and schedules.
  • Example: 项目延迟 (xiàngmù yánchí) - Project delay.
• Formal Communication
  • In formal emails or letters, it's used to apologize for a late response.
  • Example: 抱歉延迟回复 (bàoqiàn yánchí huífù) - Sorry for the delayed reply.

It's less common in casual, everyday conversation for simple tardiness. For “I'm running late,” you would more likely say `我会晚一点到 (wǒ huì wǎn yīdiǎn dào)`.

• Example 1:
  • 由于天气原因，我们的航班延迟了。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn, wǒmen de hángbān yánchí le.
  • English: Due to weather, our flight has been delayed.
  • Analysis: A classic, neutral statement you would hear at an airport. 延迟 is used here as a factual announcement.
• Example 2:
  • 我玩游戏的时候，网络延迟很高，体验很差。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ wán yóuxì de shíhòu, wǎngluò yánchí hěn gāo, tǐyàn hěn chà.
  • English: When I play games, the network latency is very high, and the experience is bad.
  • Analysis: This shows the modern, technical use of 延迟 to mean “latency” or “lag.”
• Example 3:
  • 很抱歉，会议需要延迟到下周一举行。
  • Pinyin: Hěn bàoqiàn, huìyì xūyào yánchí dào xià zhōuyī jǔxíng.
  • English: I'm very sorry, the meeting needs to be postponed until next Monday.
  • Analysis: A formal and polite way to reschedule an event. It is often used with `到 (dào)` to specify the new time.
• Example 4:
  • 这个项目的交付日期被延迟了整整一个月。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù de jiāofù rìqī bèi yánchí le zhěngzhěng yī ge yuè.
  • English: This project's delivery date was delayed by a full month.
  • Analysis: The passive voice `被 (bèi)` is used here, emphasizing that the delay was something that happened *to* the project.
• Example 5:
  • 请原谅我们延迟付款，我们的财务系统出了一些问题。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng yuánliàng wǒmen yánchí fùkuǎn, wǒmen de cáiwù xìtǒng chū le yīxiē wèntí.
  • English: Please forgive our delayed payment; our financial system had some issues.
  • Analysis: A formal, apologetic use in a business context.
• Example 6:
  • 科学家们正在研究如何减少信号传输的延迟。
  • Pinyin: Kēxuéjiāmen zhèngzài yánjiū rúhé jiǎnshǎo xìnhào chuánshū de yánchí.
  • English: Scientists are researching how to reduce signal transmission delay.
  • Analysis: A highly technical and specific use of the term, synonymous with “latency.”
• Example 7:
  • 他学会了延迟满足，以便实现更长远的目标。
  • Pinyin: Tā xuéhuì le yánchí mǎnzú, yǐbiàn shíxiàn gèng chángyuǎn de mùbiāo.
  • English: He learned delayed gratification in order to achieve longer-term goals.
  • Analysis: This shows 延迟 used in an abstract, psychological context. “延迟满足” is the standard term for “delayed gratification.”
• Example 8:
  • 持续的大雨导致了施工进度的严重延迟。
  • Pinyin: Chíxù de dàyǔ dǎozhì le shīgōng jìndù de yánzhòng yánchí.
  • English: The continuous heavy rain led to a serious delay in the construction schedule.
  • Analysis: `导致 (dǎozhì)` means “to lead to” or “to cause,” often with a negative outcome. Here, it links the rain directly to the 延迟.
• Example 9:
  • 由于供应链问题，新手机的发布被延迟了。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú gōngyìngliàn wèntí, xīn shǒujī de fābù bèi yánchí le.
  • English: Due to supply chain issues, the new phone's launch was delayed.
  • Analysis: Another common business scenario using the passive voice `被 (bèi)`.
• Example 10:
  • 紧急通知：原定于今晚的音乐会因故延迟，具体时间另行通知。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnjí tōngzhī: yuándìng yú jīnwǎn de yīnyuèhuì yīngù yánchí, jùtǐ shíjiān lìngxíng tōngzhī.
  • English: Urgent notice: The concert originally scheduled for tonight is delayed for certain reasons. The specific time will be announced later.
  • Analysis: A typical formal announcement where the new time is not yet known. This highlights how 延迟 can mean an indefinite postponement.

Getting 延迟 right often means distinguishing it from similar-sounding words.

• `延迟 (yánchí)` vs. `推迟 (tuīchí)`
  • These are very close synonyms and often interchangeable. However, there's a slight difference:
  • `推迟 (tuīchí)` (push-late) often implies a conscious decision to reschedule an event to a *new, specific time*. Ex: `会议推迟到三点 (Huìyì tuīchí dào sāndiǎn)` - The meeting is postponed *to* 3 o'clock.
  • `延迟 (yánchí)` can be more general or caused by an external factor, and a new time isn't always given. Ex: `航班延迟了 (Hángbān yánchí le)` - The flight is delayed (we don't know for how long).
  • Rule of thumb: If a person actively reschedules something, `推迟` is a great choice. If an event is held up by circumstances, `延迟` is perfect.
• `延迟 (yánchí)` vs. `迟到 (chídào)`
  • This is a common mistake for beginners.
  • `迟到 (chídào)` means “to be late” or “to arrive late.” It describes a person's status.
  • `延迟 (yánchí)` means “to be delayed.” It describes an event's status.
  • Incorrect: `对不起，我今天早上延迟了。` (Dìbùqǐ, wǒ jīntiān zǎoshang yánchí le.)
  • Correct: `对不起，我今天早上迟到了。` (Dìbùqǐ, wǒ jīntiān zǎoshang chídào le.) - Sorry, I was late this morning.
  • Correct: `因为火车延迟了，所以我迟到了。` (Yīnwèi huǒchē yánchí le, suǒyǐ wǒ chídào le.) - Because the train was delayed, I was late.
• `延迟 (yánchí)` vs. `拖延 (tuōyán)`
  • `延迟` is neutral. It's just a delay.
  • `拖延 (tuōyán)` is “to procrastinate.” It is negative and implies a deliberate, often lazy, choice to not do something.
  • Example: `别再拖延了，马上完成你的作业！` (Bié zài tuōyán le, mǎshàng wánchéng nǐ de zuòyè!) - Stop procrastinating and finish your homework now!

• 推迟 (tuīchí) - A very close synonym, often implying a proactive decision to postpone to a new, specific time.
• 延误 (yánwù) - A formal term for a delay that causes inconvenience, almost exclusively used for flights, trains, and shipping (e.g., `航班延误`).
• 拖延 (tuōyán) - To procrastinate. Has a strong negative connotation of intentionally putting something off.
• 耽误 (dānwu) - To delay in a way that causes problems or holds someone up. Implies a negative consequence. (e.g., `别耽误我时间` - Don't waste my time.)
• 迟到 (chídào) - To be late, to arrive late. Describes the state of a person, not an event.
• 延期 (yánqī) - To extend a deadline or period (e.g., `签证延期` - to extend a visa). Focuses on extending a time limit.
• 滞后 (zhìhòu) - To lag behind, typically in a broader sense like economic or technological development.
• 准时 (zhǔnshí) - Antonym. On time, punctual.
• 提前 (tíqián) - Antonym. To do something in advance, ahead of schedule.