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On'yomi
CHI
Kun'yomi
おく.れる・おく.らす・おそ.い
okureru / okurasu / osoi

slow · late · back · later

Details

Strokes12
Frequency#833
Radicalwalk(3)

Stroke Order

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Strokes12

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of advance and rhinoceros. Slow like rhinoceros.

Symbolism

Late, slow, delay. Represents slowness.

Related Culture & Scenes

  • Advancing slowly

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

巧遅拙速

こうちせっそく

better being rough and ready than slow and elaborate; better being brisk and sharp than slow and prudent; better being rough and ready than slow and elaborate

春日遅々

しゅんじつちち

long and balmy (of a spring day); long and balmy (of a spring day)

遅疑逡巡

ちぎしゅんじゅん

shilly-shally; hesitation; indecision; shilly-shally

Proverbs & Idioms

遅くなっても行かないよりまし

おそくなってもいかないよりまし

Better late than never

Doing something late is better than not at all

遅れをとる

おくれをとる

To fall behind

Lagging behind others

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 遅 mean in Japanese?

遅 means slow, late, back, later.

How do you read 遅?

On'yomi: チ (CHI). Kun'yomi: おく.れる、おく.らす、おそ.い (okureru, okurasu, osoi).

How many strokes does 遅 have?

遅 has 12 strokes. Its radical is 辶 (walk).

Is 遅 a good kanji for a tattoo?

Yes. 遅 (slow, late, back, later) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.

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