Definition
拖欠 (tuō qiàn) means to be in arrears or default on a debt – it specifically refers to failing to pay money, such as rent or wages, on time. This contrasts with 拖 (tuō) 'to delay' (any kind of dragging or postponing) and 拖延 (tuō yán) 'to procrastinate' (delaying an action), neither of which necessarily involves unpaid money.
verb
to be in arrearsto default on a debt (payment)
Examples
- 。Zhè jiā gōngsī yǐjīng tuō qiàn yuángōng sān gè yuè gōngzī le.This company has been in arrears on employee salaries for three months.
- 。Tā yīnwèi tuō qiàn fángzū bèi fángdōng gǎn le chūlái.He was kicked out by the landlord for being behind on rent.
- 。Zhèngfǔ yánlì dǎjī tuō qiàn nóngmíngōng gōngzī de xíngwéi.The government cracks down on the practice of defaulting on migrant workers' wages.
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