滞る

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 滞る, read とどこおる, and it is a godan intransitive verb for a flow or process failing to proceed as scheduled.
• Basic usage: 滞る means that deliveries, payments, work, or another process are delayed or falling behind.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Accumulating delay rather than a momentary stop
  • Both examples use the form 滞って. It focuses on obligations or movement remaining unprocessed over time, as with deliveries blocked by snow or payments two months overdue.
• Snowbound deliveries and payments two months behind
  • 大雪のため荷物の配送が滞っている。 — Heavy snow has delayed package deliveries.
  • 支払いが二か月も滞っていたため、担当窓口へ相談した。 — After the payments had fallen two months behind, I consulted the service desk.