遅(おく)れ

おくれ
noun
delay, lateness, lag
1. delay, lateness
Being late or behind schedule.
遅(おく)れが出(で)た。
A delay occurred.
電車(でんしゃ)に5分(ふん)の遅(おく)れが出(で)ている。
The train is running 5 minutes late.
雪(ゆき)のせいで飛行機(ひこうき)に大(おお)きな遅(おく)れが出(で)ている。
Flights are experiencing major delays because of the snow.
2. lag, falling behind
Being behind in development or progress.
遅(おく)れを取(と)る。
To fall behind.
技術(ぎじゅつ)の遅(おく)れを取(と)り戻(もど)す。
To catch up on the technological lag.
勉強(べんきょう)の遅(おく)れを取(と)り戻(もど)すために毎日(まいにち)頑張(がんば)っている。
I'm working hard every day to make up for falling behind in my studies.

遅(おく)れ is the noun form of the verb 遅(おく)れる (to be late/delayed). It refers to both being behind schedule and falling behind in progress.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 遅(おく)れが出(で)る: a delay occurs
  • 遅(おく)れを取(と)る: to fall behind (compared to others)
  • 遅(おく)れを取(と)り戻(もど)す: to make up for lost time, to catch up
  • 〜分(ふん)の遅(おく)れ: ~ minutes' delay
  • 遅(おく)れ気味(ぎみ): slightly behind schedule

USAGE:
Often appears in transportation contexts (電車(でんしゃ)の遅(おく)れ, 飛行機(ひこうき)の遅(おく)れ) and in academic or professional contexts (勉強(べんきょう)の遅(おく)れ, 開発(かいはつ)の遅(おく)れ).

RELATED:

  • 遅(おく)れる: to be late, to be delayed (verb)
  • 遅刻(ちこく): being late (specifically for appointments/school/work)

Related Words

Related: 遅(おく)れる (to be late (verb))
Contrast: 遅刻(ちこく) (being late (appointments))
general
Added 2026.1.9 21:30 · Revised 2026.4.5 16:30
01500/01908_okure