先延ばし

• Reading: さきのばし
• Romaji: sakinobashi
• Kanji breakdown: 先 (sen/saki) — ahead, future; 延 (en/no) — extend, stretch
• Pronunciation: /sa.ki.no.ba.ɕi/

Meaning

Delay; putting off; procrastination.

A noun and する verb (先延ばしにする) meaning to postpone or procrastinate. Combines 先 (ahead/future) with 延ばし (stretching/extending). Almost always carries a negative connotation, implying avoidance of responsibility. Very common in everyday conversation about habits and work.

Examples

1. 宿題を先延ばしにしていたら締め切りに間に合わなかった。 I kept putting off my homework and didn't make the deadline.
2. 先延ばしの癖を直したい。 I want to break my habit of procrastinating.
3. やるべきことを先延ばしにすると後で苦労する。 If you keep putting off what you need to do, you'll have a hard time later.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, work, self-improvement

Tone: negative

Origin & History

Compound of 先 (saki, ahead/future) + 延ばし (nobashi, extending/stretching). Literally 'stretching into the future,' vividly describing the act of pushing tasks forward in time.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal