迟迟: meaning, pinyin, and usage

Understanding "迟迟" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 迟迟
• Pinyin: chí chí
• Literal Meaning: “late-late” or “delayed-delayed”
• Primary Meaning: for a long time without something happening; repeatedly delayed; still not

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 迟迟 is an adverb used to describe something that does not happen even after a long wait. In English, it is often translated as “for a long time,” “still not,” “kept delaying,” or “failed to happen for a long time.” It usually appears before a verb, especially in negative or delayed-action contexts.

A very common pattern is:

迟迟 + 不 / 没有 + verb

This means “still does not…” or “has not… for a long time.”

For example, 迟迟不来 means “still hasn’t come” or “does not come for a long time.” 迟迟没有回复 means “has not replied for a long time.”

The word often carries a feeling of waiting, impatience, concern, or expectation. It suggests that something should have happened earlier, but it has not.

• Character Breakdown: 迟迟 is made by repeating the character 迟.
• 迟 means “late,” “slow,” or “delayed.”
• Repeating it as 迟迟 strengthens the sense of delay or slowness, emphasizing that something is taking a noticeably long time.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 他迟迟没有回来。
• Pinyin: Tā chí chí méiyǒu huílái.

• English: He has not come back for a long time.

• Chinese: 火车迟迟不来，大家都很着急。

• Pinyin: Huǒchē chí chí bù lái, dàjiā dōu hěn zháojí.

• English: The train still didn’t come, and everyone was very anxious.

• Chinese: 她迟迟不肯做决定。

• Pinyin: Tā chí chí bù kěn zuò juédìng.
• English: She kept refusing to make a decision for a long time.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

迟迟 is common in both spoken and written Chinese, but it often sounds a little more formal or expressive than simply saying 很久不 or 一直不. It is frequently used in news, stories, and everyday descriptions when someone is waiting for an expected result, action, or response.

For example, in situations involving waiting for a reply, a person, a decision, or an event, 迟迟 helps express not only the delay itself but also the speaker’s feeling that the delay is unusual or frustrating.

Conclusion

迟迟 means that something is delayed or has not happened for a long time. Remember the common pattern 迟迟不 or 迟迟没有 plus a verb. It often expresses waiting, expectation, or impatience when something should have happened but still has not.