Explore 延 in words about stretching, extending time and delay. Learn each reading together with its word.
The idea
延 has 8 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 延長（えんちょう） means extension, 延期（えんき） postponement and 遅延（ちえん） delay. 延ばす（のばす） is transitive; 延びる（のびる） is intransitive.
Examples
- 会議が三十分延長されました。The meeting was extended by thirty minutes.
- 雨のため、旅行を延期しました。We postponed the trip because of the rain.
- 電車が十分遅延しています。The train is delayed by ten minutes.
- 期限を一週間延ばしました。I extended the deadline by one week.
- 道が海まで延びています。The road stretches as far as the sea.
- 滞在の延長を申請しました。We requested an extension of our stay.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
延長 adds duration, while 延期 moves an event to a later date; 遅延 describes a delay. Do not assume they are interchangeable.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 延長 in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
えんちょう
延長 is えんちょう: a meeting can be extended by thirty minutes.
Write the reading of 延期 in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
えんき
延期 is えんき: a trip can be postponed because of rain.
Choose the missing kanji: 遅＿（ちえん）［延／近］.
Show answer or example answer
延
延 completes 遅延（ちえん）, a delay, as in a train running ten minutes late.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 延長 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 延期 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: 遅＿（ちえん）［延／近］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Write 延 using the diagram, then cover the readings and say 延長 and 延期. Make a sentence with one.