迟 chí late
late; slow; delayed
How to remember 迟: 辶 road + 尺 ruler = late. The student is stuck on the road in traffic, clutching the ruler for his maths exam, and arrives ten minutes late.
Component breakdown
迟 = 辶 road + 尺 ruler
- 辶 road
- 尺 ruler
The student is stuck on the road in traffic, clutching the ruler for his maths exam, and arrives ten minutes late.
How it is used
- Means "late/slow/delayed." 迟到 (chídào) = to be late/arrive late (to school, work, a meeting): 上课迟到了 (shàngkè chídào le) was late for class.
- 迟到 vs 晚: 迟到 is being late for a scheduled appointment; 晚 (wǎn) is just "late in time." You 迟到 to class but 睡得很晚 sleep late.
- 推迟 (tuīchí) = to postpone/put off; 迟早 (chízǎo) = sooner or later; 迟疑 (chíyí) = to hesitate.
Words with 迟
Example sentences
- 快点，要迟到了。 Kuài diǎn, yào chídào le.Hurry up a little or we'll be late.
- 你迟到是什么原因？ Nǐ chídào shì shénme yuányīn?What's your reason for being late?
- 公司规定不能迟到。 Gōngsī guīdìng bù néng chídào.The company rules state that employees must not be late.
- 会议将推迟到后天。 Huìyì jiāng tuīchí dào hòutiān.The meeting will be postponed to the day after tomorrow.