Meaning and Usage
The verb "滞る" (とどこおる) means "to stagnate" or "to be delayed." It is often used in formal or written contexts to describe situations where progress, movement, or processes are not proceeding smoothly or are stuck.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "滞る" used in business, medical, or economic contexts, such as delays in paperwork, stagnation in economic activity, or slow recovery from illness.
Collocations and Patterns
- 書類が滞る: documents are delayed or not submitted on time.
- 進行が滞る: progress is stalled.
- 回復が滞る: recovery is delayed.
These collocations highlight the common use of "滞る" to indicate something expected to move forward but is currently stuck or delayed.
Register and Nuance
"滞る" is more formal and less common in casual conversation. It often appears in written reports, news, or formal speech. Using it in casual talk might sound stiff.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "滞る" with simpler verbs like "遅れる" (to be late). However, "滞る" implies a more serious or systemic delay or stagnation, often affecting processes or flows rather than just being late by a small margin.