Meaning
耽 is a literary or semi-formal verb meaning to delay, linger, or become absorbed in something. It often appears in compounds like 耽误 (to delay/waste time) or 耽搁 (to hold up). When used alone, it typically conveys the sense of being excessively engrossed in an activity, sometimes with negative connotations of neglecting other duties.
Usage
耽 is rarely used as a standalone character in modern spoken Chinese. It most commonly appears in set compounds, especially 耽误 and 耽搁. When natives do use it independently, it's usually in written or literary contexts to describe being absorbed in something, often pleasure-seeking activities, with an implied criticism of excessive indulgence.
Examples
- 01别耽误大家的时间了，快点说重点。, .Don't waste everyone's time; get to the point quickly.
- 02他整天耽于网络游戏，把学业都荒废了。, .He indulges in online games all day and has neglected his studies.
Common collocations
- 耽误时间to waste time
- 耽于享乐to indulge in pleasure
- 耽搁行程to delay one's journey
Antonyms
Origin
The character 耽 is composed of the ear radical 耳 and the phonetic component 冘. Historically, it suggests the idea of listening intently or being absorbed, which evolved to mean lingering or delaying.