Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'time lag' depends on whether you mean a delay in response, a gap between events, or a technical time difference. The most common word is タイムラグ, a loanword from English, but native terms like 時間差 and 遅れ are also used.
A period of time between when something should happen and when it actually happens, often in communication or processes.
The most direct and common translation, used in everyday conversation and technical contexts. It's a loanword from English.
There was a time lag in the email reply.
Means 'delay' and is used when something is late or behind schedule. More general than タイムラグ.
There is a delay on the train.
Literally 'time difference', used for a gap between two events, like a staggered start or time zone difference.
We stagger commuting times to create a time lag.
The interval between two related events, such as cause and effect, or between two actions.
Also used for the interval between cause and effect, especially in technical or business contexts.
There is a time lag before the policy takes effect.
Emphasizes the gap itself, often used when events are intentionally separated.
Means 'gap' or 'discrepancy', often used for slight misalignments in timing.
A specific delay in a system, such as in physics, engineering, or computing.
タイムラグ is the most direct translation and is widely understood. 遅れ is a general delay, often used for schedules. 時間差 emphasizes the interval between two events, like a time gap. Use タイムラグ for most cases, 遅れ for lateness, and 時間差 for intentional or measured gaps.
There's a time lag in the response.
The train is delayed.
Launch a time-lag attack.
二つの爆発は時間差で起きた。
The two explosions occurred with a time lag.
There is a time lag between the audio and video.
The network delay is large.