Translation guide
The act of delaying or postponing something, often an obligation, payment, or decision. In Japanese, the most natural translation depends on what is being deferred and the context.
To delay a scheduled event, meeting, plan, or action to a later time.
The meeting has been postponed to next week.
I had to defer my trip.
Often implies putting something off, especially a decision or problem, sometimes with a nuance of procrastination or kicking the can down the road.
The issue was deferred (put off).
Used specifically for postponing an outdoor event to the next available date due to weather, etc. Common in sports and event announcements.
The game has been postponed until tomorrow due to rain.
To delay a payment, debt, or financial obligation, often with official permission.
Refers to a grace period, postponement, or reprieve, often for payments, deadlines, or obligations. Common in legal and financial contexts.
I applied for a deferment of payment.
Specifically means deferred payment or payment by installments, often used in tax or tuition contexts.
A straightforward compound meaning 'payment postponement'. Less formal than 猶予 but easily understood.
Official postponement of compulsory service, such as military conscription or jury duty.
To yield to another person's opinion, decision, or authority out of respect or lack of knowledge.
A natural way to express deferring to someone's judgment. Literally 'leave it to (person's) judgment'.
I'll defer to my boss's judgment on that matter.
Means to entrust or leave something to someone else. Often used when deferring a decision or responsibility.
延期 (enki) is for events, plans, and schedules. 猶予 (yuuyo) is for obligations, payments, deadlines, and official duties. Using 延期 for a payment deferment sounds unnatural.
postpone a meeting
defer a payment
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'deferment'. Always consider what is being deferred and choose the appropriate term. Using 延期 for a loan payment or 猶予 for a picnic sounds odd.
a grace period for loan repayment
税金の延納を認められた。
I was granted a deferment of tax payment.
request for payment deferment
He was granted a deferment of military service.
The final decision was deferred to the chairperson.