Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Postpone" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "postpone", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
延期する
えんきする (enki suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
見合わせる
みあわせる (miawaseru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "postpone" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 延期する and 見合わせる.
In Japanese, 延期する (えんきする (enki suru)) is typically associated with "to postpone, to delay" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Used when an event, meeting, or plan is moved to a later date. Often seen in passive form.
On the other hand, 見合わせる (みあわせる (miawaseru)) maps to "to postpone, to exchange glances" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "postpone" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "延期する"
悪天候のため、試合は来週に延期された。
Due to bad weather, the game was postponed until next week.
Bilingual Context for "見合わせる"
毎日、日本語を練習するために見合わせる。
Every day, I postpone, to exchange glances to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "悪天候のため、試合は来週に延期された。" (Meaning: "Due to bad weather, the game was postponed until next week.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "延期する" fits here because it means "to postpone, to delay" in the context of: "Due to bad weather, the game was postponed until next week.". "見合わせる" represents "to postpone, to exchange glances".