Meaning
犹豫 describes the mental state of being unable to make a decision or take action, wavering between options. It conveys hesitation, uncertainty, or being of two minds about something. This word is commonly used when someone pauses or holds back because they're unsure about the right course of action.
Usage
犹豫 is often used with negation (不要犹豫, 毫不犹豫) to encourage quick action or describe decisive behavior. It can describe both momentary hesitation and prolonged indecision. Common in both spoken and written Chinese across formal and informal registers.
Examples
- 01他毫不犹豫地接受了这份工作。.He accepted this job without the slightest hesitation.
- 02我犹豫了很久，还是不知道该怎么选择。, .I hesitated for a long time, but still don't know how to choose.
Characters
Common collocations
- 毫不犹豫without the slightest hesitation
- 不要犹豫don't hesitate
- 犹豫不决hesitant and indecisive
- 犹豫了一下hesitated for a moment
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters originally conveyed uncertainty or wavering. 犹 originally meant 'like a monkey' (suggesting restless movement), while 豫 depicted an elephant (象) being led, suggesting caution or reluctance.