滞る

• Reading: とどこおる
• Romaji: todokooru
• Kanji breakdown: 滞 (tai/todokooru) — to stagnate, to be in arrears, to be overdue
• Pronunciation: /to.do.koː.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To stagnate; to be delayed; to fall behind; to be in arrears. Describes a flow, process, or obligation that has stopped moving or has not been fulfilled on time.

A Group 1 (godan) verb with the stem とどこお-, conjugating as とどこおら/とどこおり/とどこおる/とどこおれ/とどこおろ. Applied to stalled payments (支払いが滞る), delayed projects, impeded communication, or sluggish circulation. The image is of water that should flow but has become stuck. More literary than 遅れる (to be late) and often implies a systemic or chronic nature to the delay.

Examples

1. ここ数ヶ月、家賃の支払いが滞っている入居者がいる。 There is a tenant whose rent payments have been in arrears for the past several months.
2. 連絡が滞っていたが、ようやく先方から返信が届いた。 Communication had stalled, but a reply finally came from the other party.
3. 血行が滞ると、手足の冷えや肩こりの原因となる。 When blood circulation stagnates, it can cause cold hands and feet as well as stiff shoulders.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, communication, medicine, project management

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From classical Japanese. The kanji 滞 combines 水 (water/liquid) with a phonetic component, conveying the image of water held back or stagnant.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal