WORD DETAIL
遅れ
おくれ
Examples
Included kanji
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
遅れis read asおくれand is a noun for lateness or a delay behind a scheduled time or expected rate of progress. - Basic usage: A train developing a ten-minute delay appears in
列車に十分の遅れが出る, while making up a work delay appears in作業の遅れを取り戻す.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- A delay arising and being recovered
- Transport commonly combines with
遅れが出る, while work can combine with遅れを取り戻す.
- Transport commonly combines with
- Difference from
遅刻- Unlike the word for a person arriving late to an appointment, class, or work, this term also broadly covers delays in transport or work progress.

