Translation and Meaning of: 遅らす - okurasu

If you are studying Japanese or simply interested in the language, you may have come across the word 遅らす (おくらす). This expression may seem simple at first glance, but it carries important nuances in the language. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in everyday Japanese. Additionally, we will look at tips for memorizing it and curiosities that go beyond the dictionary.

The meaning and translation of 遅らす is "to delay" or "to put off."

The word 遅らす (おくらす) is a verb that means "to delay" or "to postpone" something. It is often used in contexts where there is an action of putting off an event, commitment, or situation. For example, if someone says 会議を遅らす (かいぎをおくらす), they are indicating that the meeting will be postponed.

It's worth noting that 遅らす is not the only way to express delay in Japanese. However, it has a more active tone, suggesting that the delay is intentional or caused by someone. This nuance is important for those who want to speak the language more naturally.

The origin and writing of 遅らす

The verb 遅らす is formed by the kanji 遅 (slow, late) combined with the suffix らす, which indicates causation. This structure is common in Japanese verbs and helps to understand the logic behind the word. The kanji 遅, in turn, is composed of the radicals 辶 (movement) and 寺 (temple), suggesting an idea of "delay on the way."

Although it is not one of the more complex kanji, 遅 can be a challenge for beginners due to its strokes. A helpful tip is to associate it with words like 遅い (おそい - slow) or 遅刻 (ちこく - tardiness), which share the same root and aid in memorization.

How to use 遅らす in daily life

In everyday Japanese, 遅らす appears in both formal and informal situations. If you need to notify that you will arrive later, for example, you can say 到着を遅らせます (とうちゃくをおくらせます). In professional contexts, it's common to hear phrases like プロジェクトの期限を遅らせる (ぷろじぇくとのきげんをおくらせる - delay the project deadline).

It is interesting to note that, culturally, Japan values punctuality, so the use of 遅らす is often accompanied by a tone of apology or justification. This aspect reflects the importance of respecting time in Japanese society.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to memorize 遅らす is to create associations with real-life situations. For example, think of a delayed train (電車が遅れる - でんしゃがおくれる) and how that can affect your plans. Another strategy is to practice with flashcards, including phrases like 予定を遅らせた (よていをおくらせた - I delayed the planned).

Interestingly, 遅らす is not as frequent as its synonym 遅れる (おくれる), which has a more ive usage. This subtle difference makes 遅らす more common in contexts where there is a deliberate action of delay, while 遅れる appears more in involuntary situations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 遅らす

遅らす verb "delay" in Japanese

• 遅らします Polite way
• 遅らせる casual way
• 遅らさない negative form
• 遅らせた past
• 遅らすでしょうか conditional form

Synonyms and similar words

• 遅らせる (okuraseru) - to cause something to be delayed
• 遅くする (osoku suru) - to make something slower or delayed
• 遅延させる (chien saseru) - Cause a delay
• 遅れるようにする (okureru you ni suru) - becoming a practice of delaying