耽搁 (dān ge) is a verb meaning 'to delay' or 'to hold up' — typically referring to an unplanned or unwanted interruption that causes something to take longer than expected. The first character 耽 (dān) originally means 'to indulge' or 'to linger', suggesting lingering too long; the second character 搁 (ge) means 'to put aside' or 'to set down', implying something has been paused or set aside. Together, they convey the idea of being stalled or sidetracked, often due to external factors like traffic, bureaucracy, or miscommunication.

This word is commonly used in spoken and written Mandarin when explaining why plans changed or deadlines were missed. It carries a slightly negative or apologetic tone — for example, someone might say '抱歉，耽搁您时间了' ('Sorry for taking up your time') as a polite apology. It’s not used for intentional delays (e.g., 'I delayed my trip on purpose'), nor for abstract or emotional states — it refers specifically to concrete interruptions affecting schedules or progress.