遅滞

• Reading: ちたい
• Romaji: chitai
• Kanji breakdown: 遅 (chi) — slow, late | 滞 (tai) — to stagnate, be in arrears
• Pronunciation: /tɕi.ta.i/

Meaning

Delay; stagnation; arrears. A failure to proceed or pay on schedule.

A formal noun and suru verb (遅滞する) used in legal, business, and administrative contexts to describe falling behind schedule or accumulating unpaid obligations. Unlike the casual 遅れ (being late), 遅滞 implies a more serious and consequential delay with potential legal or contractual repercussions. 遅滞なく (without delay) is a standard phrase in formal documents and official correspondence.

Examples

1. 工事の遅滞が相次ぎ、施設の開業予定日が半年延期されることになった。 Repeated construction delays led to the facility's opening date being postponed by six months.
2. 支払いの遅滞が続く場合には契約を解除できる旨が、条項に明記されていた。 The contract stipulated that it could be terminated in the event of continued payment arrears.
3. プロジェクトの進捗が遅滞し、チームは夜を徹して対応策を協議した。 Progress on the project stagnated, and the team worked through the night to discuss countermeasures.

Usage Guide

Context: legal documents, business contracts, administration, finance

Tone: precise

Origin & History

Compound of 遅 (chi) meaning 'slow, late' and 滞 (tai) meaning 'to stagnate, be in arrears, be delayed'. Both characters emphasise a harmful slowdown or accumulation of unresolved obligations.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Working professionals