迟缓 (chí huǎn) — slow, sluggish | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Used for slow, sluggish movement, recovery, or progress — often implies a problem, stronger than 慢 or 缓慢. Pairs naturally with 迟钝 (slow thinking) and 迟疑 (hesitant).

adjective

slowsluggish

Examples

迟缓，。
Tā shuō huà chí huǎn, hǎo xiàng bú tài zì xìn.
He speaks slowly, as if not very confident.
迟缓。
Jīng jì chí huǎn zēng zhǎng dǎo zhì jiù yè jī huì jiǎn shǎo.
The sluggish economic growth has led to fewer job opportunities.
迟缓，。
Bìng rén huī fù chí huǎn, xū yào gèng duō shí jiān.
The patient's recovery is slow and needs more time.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

The meanings of 迟 and 缓 both point to slowness, so together they describe a sluggish pace.

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.

辶尺迟

Meaning part形符xíngfú

辶Written in full as辵chuòmotion

Sound part声符shēngfú

尺

尺chǐ迟chí

Same sound today

迟 pairs 辶, a walking sign, with 尺, used for the sound.

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 緩; 缓 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mìsilk

Sound part声符shēngfú

爰

爰yuán緩huǎn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 緩 pairs 糸 (silk) with 爰, which gives the sound; the simplified 缓 is a later shorthand.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Good & Bad

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