synonym Comparative
遅い
VS
手間取る
Differences Between "遅い" and "手間取る"
Option A
遅い
Meaning
slow, late
Reading
おそい (osoi)
Syllabus Level
N5
Practical Example
彼はいつも仕事が遅い。
He is always slow at work.
Option B
手間取る
Meaning
to take time, to be delayed, to be slow (due to difficulty or complications)
Reading
てまどる (temadoru)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
複雑な申請手続きで、予想以上に手間取ってしまった。
The complicated application process took longer than expected.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(slow, late)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 遅い: An i-adjective used to describe lack of speed (e.g., a slow train) or arriving/doing something late. Can also mean 'slow-witted'.
- 手間取る: Implies that a task or process is taking longer than anticipated because of unexpected difficulties or complexities. (予想以上に時間がかかったり、なかなか進まなかったりする。)
- 遅い: An i-adjective used to describe lack of speed (e.g., a slow train) or arriving/doing something late. Can also mean 'slow-witted'.
- 手間取る: Implies that a task or process is taking longer than anticipated because of unexpected difficulties or complexities. (予想以上に時間がかかったり、なかなか進まなかったりする。)
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