耽误 dānwu to delay
to delay; to hold up; to waste time; to interfere with
How to remember 耽误: 耽 to indulge + 误 mistake = to delay.
Characters
How it is used
- To delay / hold up / cause to miss out - 耽误时间 (dānwu shíjiān) waste/hold up time, 别耽误了他 (bié dānwu le tā) don't hold him up.
- Implies a delay that harms or wastes an opportunity (missed train, wasted schooling); note reading dānwu (neutral 2nd char).
- Colloquial, carries a note of regret/blame.