Translation guide
The English verb "defer" has two main meanings: (1) to postpone or delay something, and (2) to yield to someone else's opinion, authority, or wishes. These meanings are expressed with different Japanese words and patterns.
To put off an action, event, or decision to a later time.
The most common and neutral way to say "postpone" or "defer" for events, meetings, deadlines, etc.
会議を来週に延期しました。
We deferred the meeting to next week.
出発を延期せざるを得なかった。
We had no choice but to defer our departure.
To accept or comply with someone else's decision, expertise, or wishes, often out of respect.
A general pattern meaning "to follow/defer to (a person, rule, decision)." Use with nouns like 意見 (opinion), 判断 (judgment), 指示 (instructions).
上司の判断に従います。
I will defer to my boss's judgment.
English "defer" covers both postponement and yielding, but Japanese uses completely different words. Using 延期する when you mean "yield to someone" will cause confusion. Always identify the intended meaning first.
会議を延期する (postpone) vs. 上司に従う (defer to boss)
Postpone a meeting vs. yield to the boss
延期する is neutral and simply means rescheduling. 先送りする often carries a negative nuance of avoiding a difficult decision or problem by pushing it into the future.
Literally "send ahead," used for pushing a decision or problem into the future, often with a nuance of avoiding it.
その問題は先送りされた。
The issue was deferred (kicked down the road).
To carry over an unresolved matter to a future time, often used for agenda items or pending issues.
この件は次回に持ち越しましょう。
Let's defer this matter to the next meeting.
Means "to delay" in a general sense. Can translate "defer" when the focus is on making something happen later than planned.
支払いを遅らせてもらえますか。
Could you defer the payment?
You should defer to the expert's opinion.
Means "to leave (a decision) to someone," implying trust and deference to their judgment.
詳しいことは専門家に任せましょう。
Let's defer the details to the experts.
A formal phrase meaning "to respect someone's wishes/intentions," often used when deferring to a superior or client.
クライアントの意向を尊重して、デザインを変更しました。
Deferring to the client's wishes, we changed the design.
Means "to yield, concede, or give way." Can be used for deferring to someone in a discussion or competition.
彼は先輩に譲って、自分の意見を言わなかった。
He deferred to his senior and didn't state his own opinion.
Postpone an event vs. kick the problem down the road
Postpone an event vs. kick the problem down the road