About
The character "耽" derives from the combination of the radical "耳", meaning ear, and the component "冘", which implies hanging or lingering, originally describing physically pendulous ears. This concrete representation gradually extended metaphorically to convey the idea of delay or procrastination, as the imagery of something heavy or suspended suggested slowness or hesitation. Over time, its semantic scope broadened further to encompass notions of indulgence or deep absorption, particularly in contexts where one becomes engrossed in an activity to excess, such as in the term "耽溺". The structural integrity of "耳" and "冘" has remained constant, with the former anchoring the character to sensory or physical domains and the latter contributing both phonetic value and conceptual associations with suspension, thereby tracing a path from tangible attributes to abstract psychological states.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
不要耽误学习的时间。
他耽搁了回家的行程。
这件事耽误了我们的计划。
她耽于幻想，不愿面对现实。
由于天气原因，航班被耽搁了。
耽误了这么久，我们必须加快进度。
他整天耽于享乐，忘记了责任。
这次会议耽搁了重要决策的制定。