耽误
Old HSK 5
耽误 (dānwu) · to delay
耽误 (dānwu) means “to delay; to hold up; to waste (time)”. It is written with 2 characters: 耽 (to indulge) + 误 (error). It is an old HSK 5 word (HSK 2.0).
How 耽误 is built
The characters
耽 dān · to indulge
What 耽 is made of
- 耳ěr — ear
- 二 — two strokes
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 二 — two strokes
- 冘yín — to move on
- 巾jīn — cloth
- 冂 — frame
- 丨 — vertical stroke
- 乚 — hook stroke
- 巾jīn — cloth
误 wù · error
What 误 is made of
- 讠yán — speech
- 吴wú — one of several warring states
- 口kǒu — mouth
- 冂 — frame
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 天tiān — sky
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 大dà — big
- 口kǒu — mouth
Origin hint: 讠 gives the meaning, 吴 gives the sound. (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)
Example sentences
对不起，耽误你的时间了。Duìbuqǐ, dānwu nǐ de shíjiān le.Sorry for taking up your time.
下雨耽误了我们的行程。Xiàyǔ dānwu le wǒmen de xíngchéng.The rain delayed our trip.
Questions about 耽误
What does 耽误 mean?
耽误 (dānwu) means “to delay; to hold up; to waste (time)”.
How do you pronounce 耽误?
耽误 is pronounced dānwu.
Which HSK level is 耽误?
耽误 is in Old HSK 5.
Related words
Learn 耽误 with its group
It is part of Old HSK 5 · Group 20: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.