Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Delayed / Behind schedule: Describes a situation, process, or person that is late or not progressing according to the planned or expected timetable.
   • Tardy / Dilatory: Characterizes an action or behavior that is slow and causes delay, often implying a lack of punctuality or urgency.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Tiến độ dự án đang rất trề trễ. (The project timeline is very delayed.)
  • Anh ấy có thói quen trề trễ trong mọi việc. (He has a habit of being tardy in everything.)
  • Việc giao hàng bị trề trễ do thời tiết. (The delivery was delayed due to the weather.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a negative connotation, criticizing the delay as avoidable or due to inefficiency.
  • Sự trề trễ trong khâu xét duyệt đã gây thiệt hại. (The delay in the approval process caused losses.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trễ (adj): Late, delayed. "Trề trễ" is an intensive form of "trễ," emphasizing a more significant or blameworthy delay.
  • Xin lỗi vì tôi đến trễ. (Sorry for my late arrival.)

Synonyms

• Delayed: Made to be later than planned.
• Behind schedule: Not completed by the intended time.
• Tardy: Delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time.

Related Idioms

• Trề trề trễ trễ: A reduplicated form for emphasis, describing a state of being very delayed or chronically behind.
  • Công việc cứ trề trề trễ trễ mãi. (The work just remains perpetually delayed.)