Meaning
耽搁 means to delay or hold something up, often causing someone to be late or preventing progress. It suggests an unintended or unwanted pause that interferes with plans or schedules. The word carries a sense of time being wasted or lost due to obstacles or distractions.
Usage
Native speakers use 耽搁 when explaining why they're late or why something took longer than expected. It's commonly used in apologies or explanations. The word is neutral in register and appears in both spoken and written contexts, often in phrases like '耽搁了时间' (wasted time) or '别耽搁' (don't delay).
Examples
- 01路上堵车，耽搁了半个小时。, .There was traffic on the road, which delayed me for half an hour.
- 02这件事很急，不能再耽搁了。, .This matter is urgent and can't be delayed any longer.
Characters
Common collocations
- 耽搁时间to waste time
- 别耽搁don't delay
- 被耽搁了was held up
- 耽搁不起can't afford to delay
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to stopping or pausing. 耽 originally meant to indulge or be addicted to something, while 搁 means to put something down or set aside. Together they emphasize the idea of being held back or stopped from progressing.