Definition
滞后 (zhìhòu) is a formal verb for 'to lag behind' — used in progress, technology, or development contexts. Compared to 落后 (luòhòu), which can also be an adjective meaning 'backward', 滞后 specifically emphasizes a timing delay relative to a benchmark. Unlike 停滞 (tíngzhì, 'to stagnate'), 滞后 implies slower progress rather than a complete halt.
verb
to lag behindto fall behind
Easily confused
- 之后zhī hòusound-alikeafter (a time or event)
Examples
- 滞后。Zhège xiàngmù de jìnzhǎn zhì hòu le yùqī.The progress of this project lags behind expectations.
- 滞后。Wǒmen de chǎnpǐn bù néng zài jìshù shàng zhì hòu.Our products cannot lag behind in technology.
- 滞后，。Rúguǒ zhì hòu le shìchǎng biànhuà, gōngsī jiù huì shībài.If you lag behind market changes, the company will fail.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.