(えんちょう)

えんちょう
noun, suru verb
extension, prolongation
1. extension of time or period
Extending a deadline, contract, subscription, or time limit beyond its original end date.
契約(けいやく)一年(いちねん)延長(えんちょう)した。
I extended the contract by one year.
図書館(としょかん)(ほん)貸出(かしだし)期間(きかん)延長(えんちょう)できますか。
Can I extend the borrowing period for the library book?
2. extension of length
Making something physically longer, or the total length of something.
この道路(どうろ)延長(えんちょう)(やく)10(じゅっ)キロだ。
The total length of this road is about 10 kilometers.
3. overtime (sports)
Extra time played in sports when a game is tied at the end of regulation.
試合(しあい)延長(えんちょう)(はい)った。
The game went into overtime.

COMPOSITION: (えん) (extend, postpone) + (ちょう) (long). Literally "extending long."

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 契約(けいやく)延長(えんちょう)する (to extend a contract)
  • 期限(きげん)延長(えんちょう)する (to extend a deadline)
  • 滞在(たいざい)延長(えんちょう)する (to extend one's stay)
  • 会員(かいいん)期間(きかん)延長(えんちょう) (membership extension)
  • 延長(えんちょう)料金(りょうきん) (extension fee)
  • 延長(えんちょう)コード (extension cord)
  • 延長(えんちょう)(せん) (overtime game)

CONTRAST:

  • 延長(えんちょう): general extension (time, length, contracts)
  • 延期(えんき): postponement (moving an event to a later date)
  • 更新(こうしん): renewal (starting a new term)

USAGE NOTES:

  • 延長(えんちょう)する is used when extending without changing fundamental terms
  • For visas: ビザを延長(えんちょう)する (extend a visa)
  • For subscriptions: 自動(じどう)延長(えんちょう) (automatic renewal/extension)