delay
Loading your saved state.
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
'Verspätung' and 'Verzögerung' both mean that something happens later than planned. 'Verspätung' is used especially for people, trains, buses, flights, or appointments when they are not on time. 'Verzögerung' sounds more general and fits well with procedures, projects, or processes that take longer than expected. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with a later start or a later end. When someone or a means of transport arrives late, 'Verspätung' is usually more natural. When a process slows down, 'Verzögerung' is more precise.
Durch ein technisches Problem gibt es bei der Lieferung eine Verzögerung.
Because of a technical problem, there is a delay with the delivery.
Nico ruft im Büro an, weil sein Zug Verspätung hat.
Nico calls the office because his train is delayed.