to delay
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to be delayed
To take place or happen later than planned; to be late.
Aufgrund technischer Probleme wird sich der Abflug um etwa eine Stunde verzögern.
Due to technical problems, the departure will be delayed by about an hour.
to delay something
To make sure that something happens later than planned; to postpone or slow something down.
Der Anwalt versuchte, den Prozess durch immer neue Anträge zu verzögern.
The lawyer tried to delay the trial by filing one motion after another.
This verb has two important uses: 'sich verzögern' (to be delayed) is reflexive and means that something happens later on its own. 'Etwas verzögern' (to delay something) is transitive and means that someone or something actively causes a delay.
Die Reparatur verzögert sich, weil ein Ersatzteil fehlt.
The repair is delayed because a replacement part is missing.
'Verzögern' (to delay) is an inseparable verb derived from the verb 'zögern' (to hesitate). The prefix 'ver-' here causes a change of state: hesitation turns into an actual delay.
Er hat die Antwort lange verzögert.
He delayed the answer for a long time.
If you want to specify the exact length of the delay, use the preposition 'um' followed by an accusative. The subject of the sentence is the thing that is delayed.
Der Beginn der Veranstaltung hat sich um 30 Minuten verzögert.
The start of the event was delayed by 30 minutes.
With the reflexive use 'sich verzögern' (to be delayed), the subjects are often events, processes, or means of transportation. Common examples are: 'der Abflug' (the departure), 'die Lieferung' (the delivery), 'der Baubeginn' (the start of construction), 'der Zug' (the train), or 'die Antwort' (the answer).
Die Lieferung meiner Bestellung hat sich leider verzögert.
The delivery of my order has unfortunately been delayed.
to postpone / move / fence
„Verschieben“ refers to deliberately rescheduling something for a later time. „Verzögern“, on the other hand, means that something happens later than planned or progresses more slowly; this can also be unplanned. For a newly set time, „verschieben“ is therefore usually the better choice.
Wegen eines technischen Problems verzögert sich die Abfahrt bis zehn Uhr.
Because of a technical problem, the departure is delayed until ten o’clock.
Wegen einer Terminänderung verschieben wir die Abfahrt bewusst auf zehn Uhr.
Because of a scheduling change, we are deliberately postponing the departure until ten o’clock.
