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late · slow · delay
N2
On: Kun: おそ、おく

Memory Aid

The kanji for 'slow' or 'late' combines the 'road' radical (辶) with 犀, which means 'rhinoceros'. Imagine a **rhinoceros** trying to run down a **road** – it's naturally very **slow**, and it would make you **late** for anything!

'Oso' — Oh, so **slow**! Or 'Oh, so **late**!'

Vocabulary

遅いおそいslow; late (adjective)
遅れるおくれるto be late; to be delayed
遅刻ちこくlateness; tardiness
遅延ちえんdelay (e.g., of transportation)
手遅れておくれtoo late; belated

Example Sentences

電車が遅いです。

The train is late.

会議に遅れてすみません。

Sorry for being late to the meeting.

彼は学校に遅刻しました。

He was late for school.

飛行機は出発が遅延しています。

The flight departure is delayed.

Related Kanji