踌 (chóu) - To hesitate & to waver

踌Tone 2

chóu ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

踌 · chóu

To hesitate;

to waver;

to pace back and forth;

to be irresolute.

To hesitateto waverto pace back and forth

Usage highlights

HesitateHesitate and not advancePace back and forthFull of hesitationHesitate to make a decisionHesitate at the crossroads

Synonyms

  • 犹豫— hesitate; be irresolute
  • 迟疑— hesitate; delay
  • 彷徨— hesitate; waver; pace around

Antonyms

  • 果断— decisive; resolute
  • 坚决— firm; determined
  • 决断— decisive; make a firm decision

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He hesitated at the crossroads (在十字路口踌躇).
  • She paced back and forth in the room (在房间里踌躇).
  • They were undecided about the plan (对计划踌躇不决).
  • After much hesitation, he made the decision (经过一番踌躇后，他做出了决定).

Collocations

  • Hesitate(踌躇)
  • Hesitate and not advance(踌躇不前)
  • Pace back and forth(踌躇徘徊)
  • Full of hesitation(满腹踌躇)
  • Hesitate to make a decision(踌躇不决)
  • Hesitate at the crossroads(在十字路口踌躇)

Idioms

  • Hesitate and not advance(踌躇不前)
  • Hesitate and miss the opportunity(踌躇失机)
  • Full of hesitation(满腹踌躇)
  • Hesitate to make a decision(踌躇不决)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 踌 depicts the physical action of pacing back and forth when one is uncertain or hesitant.
  • In Chinese culture, visible hesitation is often seen as a sign of careful consideration rather than weakness.
  • The character appears in classical texts describing moments of decision-making and moral dilemma.

FAQ