delay
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delay
A state or event in which something happens or is completed later than planned or expected.
Wegen eines Unfalls auf der Autobahn kam es zu einer erheblichen Verzögerung.
Because of an accident on the highway, there was a significant delay.
'Die Verzögerung' (the delay) is the noun related to the verb 'verzögern' (to delay). The verb 'zögern' means 'to hesitate'. The prefix 'ver-' intensifies the effect here, so 'verzögern' means to make something happen later, intentionally or unintentionally.
Bitte verzögern Sie die Zahlung nicht.
Please do not delay the payment.
'Verzögerung' is very often used in the fixed expressions 'es kommt zu einer Verzögerung' (there is a delay) or 'es gibt eine Verzögerung' (there is a delay). This impersonal construction describes that a delay occurs.
Aufgrund technischer Probleme kommt es zu einer Verzögerung von 30 Minuten.
Due to technical problems, there is a delay of 30 minutes.
Common prepositions are 'mit Verzögerung' (with a delay/something happens late) and 'ohne Verzögerung' (without delay/something happens on time or immediately).
Der Zug kam mit 20 Minuten Verzögerung an.
The train arrived with a delay of 20 minutes.
delay
Both words indicate that something happens later than expected. Verspätung particularly refers to arriving late or deviating from a scheduled time, while Verzögerung emphasizes that a process has been slowed down. Verspätung usually fits trains or appointments, while Verzögerung is more suitable for a process that has been held up.
Wegen einer Verzögerung bei der Reparatur wird die Maschine erst um zehn Uhr fertig.
Because of a delay in the repairs, the machine will not be ready until ten o'clock.
Wegen einer Verspätung kommt der Zug erst um zehn Uhr an.
Because of a delay, the train will not arrive until ten o'clock.
