elaborate but slow; polished but slow
Refers to work or execution that is skillful and refined but takes a long time. Often contrasted with 拙速 (rough but fast).
Antonyms: 拙速
巧遅は拙速に如かずという言葉がある。
There is a saying that elaborate slowness is inferior to rough speed.
彼の仕事は巧遅で、丁寧だが納期に間
His work is elaborate but slow; it's careful but often misses deadlines.
rough-and-ready; hasty but functional
better rough and ready than slow and elaborate; better brisk and sharp than slow and prudent
Sino-Japanese compound of 巧 (skillful) and 遅 (slow). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is used in contrast to 拙速.