拖延

• Pinyin: tuō yán
• Hanzi breakdown: 拖 = 扌 (hand) + 它 (it, phonetic); 延 = 廴 (move forward) + 止 (stop) — movement halted

Meaning

To delay; to procrastinate; to drag out. Putting off or prolonging something beyond its intended or necessary timeframe.

Can be used for both deliberate delay (stalling tactics in negotiations) and habitual procrastination. 拖延症 (procrastination syndrome) has become a popular self-deprecating term among young Chinese people. In professional contexts, 拖延 often signals passive resistance or lack of urgency.

Examples

1. 谈判对方故意拖延，试图消耗我方的谈判意志。 The opposing party in the negotiation deliberately stalled, trying to wear down our resolve.
2. 他有严重的拖延症，每次都在截止日前一天熬夜赶稿。 He has severe procrastination syndrome — every time he pulls an all-nighter the day before the deadline to rush out the draft.
3. 施工单位拖延工期，导致项目无法按时竣工。 The construction company delayed the schedule, causing the project to be unable to be completed on time.

Usage Guide

Context: professional, personal, negotiation

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 不要再拖延了，这个决定今天必须做出。(Stop procrastinating — this decision must be made today.)
• 他惯于用各种借口拖延履行合同义务。(He habitually uses all sorts of excuses to delay fulfilling his contractual obligations.)

Don't Say

• 把正当的等待时机称为'拖延' (拖延 implies inappropriate delay; waiting for the right moment is 等待时机, not 拖延)

Origin & History

Compound of 拖 (drag, pull behind) + 延 (extend, prolong). Together mean 'drag and extend,' i.e., to delay by dragging something out.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal