Usage of 延长
The verb 延长 means "to extend" or "to lengthen" in terms of time, space, or duration. It is commonly used in formal and everyday contexts to talk about extending deadlines, meetings, working hours, or physical lengths such as roads or contracts.
Common Collocations
- 延长时间 (extend time): often used when talking about prolonging deadlines or working hours.
- 延长会议 (extend a meeting): used when a meeting lasts longer than originally planned.
- 延长合同 (extend a contract): refers to prolonging the validity period of an agreement.
Notes
When using 延长, the object is usually something measurable like time or length. It differs from 推迟 (to postpone) because 延长 means to make something longer, not to delay its start. Avoid confusing 延长 with 延期, which means to postpone or defer.
Register
延长 is neutral and appropriate in both spoken and written Chinese, suitable for formal and informal situations.