Discover how 遅 describes speed and timing in everyday Japanese. Learn its readings in complete words.

The idea

遅 has 12 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 遅い（おそい） is an i-adjective meaning slow or late; 遅れる（おくれる） is a verb meaning to be late or delayed. In 遅刻（ちこく）, 遅 is read ち.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample in context
遅いおそいThis train is slow.
遅れるおくれるI was late for the meeting.
遅刻ちこくlateness

Examples

  • この電車でんしゃは遅おそいです。This train is slow.
  • 会議かいぎに遅おくれました。I was late for the meeting.
  • 雨あめでバスが遅おくれています。The bus is delayed because of the rain.
  • 返事へんじを遅おそく送おくりました。I sent my reply late.
  • 弟おとうとは歩あるくのが遅おそいです。My younger brother walks slowly.
  • 遅おくれても来きてください。Please come even if you are late.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

遅い can describe slow speed or a late time, depending on context. 遅れる describes falling behind a schedule; do not read it おそる.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 遅い in hiragana.

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    おそい

    遅い is おそい: the train is slow. Learn the adjective with its final い.

  2. Write the reading of 遅れる in hiragana.

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    おくれる

    遅れる is おくれる: it can describe being late for a meeting. Remember the verb ending れる.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿刻（ちこく）［遅／近］.

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    遅

    遅 completes 遅刻（ちこく）, meaning lateness. Here the reading of 遅 is ち.

Use it today

Write 遅 following the diagram. Cover the table, read 遅い and 遅れる, and describe a delayed journey.