躅 (zhú) - To pace back and forth & to hesitate

躅Tone 2

zhú ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

志

躅 · zhú

To pace back and forth;

to hesitate;

to linger;

to walk slowly;

also refers to footprints or tracks.

To pace back and forthto hesitateto linger

Usage highlights

Pacing back and forthFootprints and tracksHesitate to advanceSlow walkingWander aimlesslyLinger and hesitate

Synonyms

  • 踯— to pace, to walk back and forth
  • 徘徊— to pace back and forth, to hesitate
  • 踌躇— to hesitate, to waver

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He paced back and forth in the room (在房间里踯躅).
  • The deer left tracks in the snow (雪地上有鹿的躅迹).
  • She hesitated at the crossroads (她在十字路口躅躅不前).
  • The old man walked slowly along the path (老人沿着小路躅行).

Collocations

  • Pacing back and forth(踯躅)
  • Footprints and tracks(躅迹)
  • Hesitate to advance(躅躅不前)
  • Slow walking(躅行)
  • Wander aimlessly(徘徊躅躅)
  • Linger and hesitate(躅躇)

Idioms

  • Pacing back and forth, hesitant to advance(踯躅不前)
  • Following in the footsteps of the ancients(步武前躅)
  • Wandering alone(独行踽踽，躅躅独行)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical Chinese poetry to depict melancholy, hesitation, or solitary wandering.
  • The character appears in the famous phrase '踯躅不前' describing hesitation and indecision.
  • In literary contexts, it can symbolize following the path or example of predecessors.

FAQ