Translation guide
To move or progress more slowly than others, or to be less advanced. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through verbs and phrases that convey falling behind physically, in progress, or in development.
To be slower than others in a physical or metaphorical race, or to not keep up with a schedule.
General verb for being late or falling behind schedule or others. Can be used for both physical and abstract contexts.
彼は他のランナーに遅れた。
He lagged behind the other runners.
仕事が予定より遅れている。
The work is lagging behind schedule.
Idiomatic phrase meaning to be outdone or fall behind someone else. Often used in competitive contexts.
彼は同僚に後れを取っている。
He is lagging behind his colleagues.
To be left behind, often because of a late start or slow response. Implies a gap has formed.
彼はスタートで立ち遅れた。
He lagged behind at the start.
Variant of 後れを取る, less common but same meaning.
技術で他社に遅れを取っている。
We are lagging behind other companies in technology.
To be behind in terms of technology, knowledge, or social progress.
The te-iru form of 遅れる, used to describe a state of being behind. Common for technology or trends.
この国はデジタル化で遅れている。
This country is lagging behind in digitalization.
Emphasizes being left behind in a field or movement, often with a nuance of missing out.
その会社は市場の変化に立ち遅れている。
That company is lagging behind market changes.
Adjectival noun meaning backward or underdeveloped. Used for societies or systems.
その地域は経済的に後進的だ。
That region is lagging behind economically.
To be slow to react or perform, especially in technology or games.
Loanword from English 'lag', used for network latency or game lag.
ゲームでラグがひどい。
The lag is terrible in the game.
Formal term for delay or latency, used in technical contexts.
Do not directly translate 'lag behind' as a single word. Use context-appropriate verbs like 遅れる or phrases like 後れを取る.
遅れる is general 'be late/fall behind'. 立ち遅れる implies being left behind due to a slow start or missing an opportunity, often used in competitive or progressive contexts.
Network lag is occurring.