Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Postponement" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "postponement", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
延期
えんき (enki)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
時効の完成猶予
じこうのかんせいゆうよ (jikou no kanseiyuuyo)
C2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "postponement" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 延期 and 時効の完成猶予.
In Japanese, 延期 (えんき (enki)) is typically associated with "postponement; deferral" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to postponing or deferring an event, meeting, or plan to a later date. Can be used with する as a verb.
On the other hand, 時効の完成猶予 (じこうのかんせいゆうよ (jikou no kanseiyuuyo)) maps to "postponement of completion of prescription" (Syllabus Level: C2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "postponement" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "延期"
大雨のため、予定されていた運動会は来週に延期されました。
Due to heavy rain, the scheduled sports day was postponed to next week.
Bilingual Context for "時効の完成猶予"
私は時効の完成猶予に興味があります。
I am interested in postponement of completion of prescription.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "大雨のため、予定されていた運動会は来週に ＿＿＿ されました。" (Meaning: "Due to heavy rain, the scheduled sports day was postponed to next week.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "延期" fits here because it means "postponement; deferral" in the context of: "Due to heavy rain, the scheduled sports day was postponed to next week.". "時効の完成猶予" represents "postponement of completion of prescription".