Meaning and Usage
"延長" (えんちょう) means "extension" or "prolongation" and is commonly used to describe the act of making something longer in time or space. It is often applied to meetings, contracts, deadlines, vacations, or even physical distances.
Common Contexts
You will frequently encounter "延長" in formal or business settings, such as extending a meeting or contract period. It can also be used in everyday situations like extending a holiday or a rental period.
Collocations and Patterns
- 会議の延長 (かいぎのえんちょう): extension of a meeting
- 契約の延長 (けいやくのえんちょう): contract extension
- 期限の延長 (きげんのえんちょう): deadline extension
- 延長する: to extend or prolong
Usage Notes
When using "延長," the focus is on the act of lengthening or prolonging something already set. It is a noun but often used with the verb "する" to form "延長する." Be careful not to confuse it with "伸長" (しんちょう), which can also mean extension but is more about physical growth or expansion rather than time.
Politeness and Register
"延長" is neutral and appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but it is especially common in business or official communications.