迟 (chí) - late & delayed

迟Tone 2

chí ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 辶

橙丁

迟 · chí

late;

delayed;

slow;

tardy.

latedelayedslow

Usage highlights

to be lateto delayslowlate springlate bloomerprocrastination

Synonyms

  • 晚— late (in time)
  • 缓— slow (in speed)
  • 慢— slow (in pace)

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He arrived late (迟到).
  • The train is delayed (延迟).
  • She is a slow learner (迟钝).
  • The weather is late spring (迟来的春天).

Collocations

  • to be late(迟到)
  • to delay(延迟)
  • slow-witted(迟钝)
  • late spring(迟春)
  • late bloomer(大器晚成)
  • procrastination(迟延)

Idioms

  • Better late than never(亡羊补牢，为时未晚)
  • A great talent takes time to mature(大器晚成)
  • To hesitate and miss the opportunity(迟疑不决)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, punctuality is highly valued, so being 'late' (迟) is generally viewed negatively.
  • The idiom '大器晚成' (great talent matures slowly) offers a positive perspective on lateness in personal development.

FAQ