拖延

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

Significado

retrasar; procrastinar; dilatar

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.

Ejemplos

1. 谈判对方故意拖延，试图消耗我方的谈判意志。
2. 他有严重的拖延症，每次都在截止日前一天熬夜赶稿。
3. 施工单位拖延工期，导致项目无法按时竣工。

Guía de uso

Contexto: professional, personal, negotiation

Tono: critical

Correcto

• 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.)

Incorrecto

• 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)

Origen e historia

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

Contexto cultural

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal