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拖拉 (tuō lā) — slow, sluggish; dilatory; to procrastinate, to put off

Definition

Describes a person or work style that is 'slow and drags on', putting things off until the last minute. Used only as an adjective — it is not used like the verb 拖延.

adjective
slowsluggishdilatoryto procrastinateto put off

Examples

  • 拖拉，。
    Tā zuò shì hěn tuō lā, zǒng shì tuō dào zuì hòu cái wán chéng.
    He works very slowly and always waits until the last minute.
  • 拖拉，。
    Zhè ge gōng zuò bù néng zài tuō lā le, míng tiān jiù shì jié zhǐ rì qī.
    This work can't be delayed any more; tomorrow is the deadline.
  • 拖拉，。
    Tā zǒu lù hěn tuō lā, wǒ men dé děng tā yí xià.
    He walks very slowly; we have to wait for him a bit.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

拖tuōdrag
拉lāpull

Dragging and pulling together suggest slow, reluctant action.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
它
它tā拖tuō
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

拖 uses 手 to show an action done with the hand, and 它 to give its sound.

Open 拖 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
立
立lì拉lā
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

拉 pairs 手 (hand) with 立, a component that supplies the sound.

Open 拉 →
Appears in
Personality & Traits

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