延 (yán) - to extend & to prolong
延 · yán
to extend;
to prolong;
to delay;
to postpone;
to invite;
to engage
to extendto prolongto delay
Usage highlights
extend timeprolong lifedelay paymentextend invitationcontinuous stretchextend deadline
Usage & contexts
Examples
- The meeting was postponed (延期).
- They extended the deadline (延长期限).
- He was invited to give a lecture (延请).
- The road continues for miles (延绵).
Collocations
- extend time(延期)
- prolong life(延年)
- delay payment(延付)
- extend invitation(延请)
- continuous stretch(延绵)
- extend deadline(延长期限)
Idioms
- Prolong life and increase longevity(延年益寿)
- Extend congratulations and offer felicitations(延颈举踵)
- Extend the neck and crane the heels(延颈企踵)
- Delay and procrastinate(拖延时日)
Cultural background
FAQ- In traditional Chinese culture, '延' is often used in auspicious phrases related to longevity and health.
- The character appears in many formal invitations and official documents to denote extension or postponement.
- In naming, it conveys wishes for longevity, continuity, and prosperous extension of family lines.