Meaning and Usage
"遅れ" (おくれ) primarily means "delay" or "lag" and is often used to describe being late or something happening later than scheduled. It can refer to people, events, or objects such as trains or deadlines.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "遅れ" in transportation contexts (e.g., trains or buses being late), in meetings or appointments, and in deadlines for submissions or deliveries.
Collocations and Patterns
- 遅れが出る: "a delay occurs"; used when something starts or happens later than planned.
- 遅れを取る: "to fall behind"; often used in competitive or progress contexts.
- 遅れを取り戻す: "to make up for lost time"; used when trying to catch up after a delay.
Register and Politeness
"遅れ" is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When combined with polite verbs or expressions, it fits well in business or daily conversation.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "遅れ" with "遅い" (slow) or "遅刻" (being late for appointments). Remember, "遅れ" focuses on the concept of delay or lag, not the adjective describing speed or punctuality itself.