Meaning and Usage
"踌躇" means to hesitate or be indecisive, often when facing a choice or decision. It conveys a sense of pausing due to uncertainty or fear.
Common Contexts
This word is often used in formal or literary contexts rather than casual speech. It describes mental hesitation rather than physical delay.
Collocations and Patterns
- 踌躇不前: hesitate and fail to move forward, often used to describe being stuck in indecision.
- 踌躇不决: hesitate and be unable to decide.
Nuance and Register
"踌躇" carries a slightly formal or literary tone. It is more expressive than the everyday "犹豫" (yóuyù), emphasizing the emotional or psychological struggle behind hesitation.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "踌躇" with "迟疑" (chíyí), which also means hesitate but is more neutral and common in spoken language. "踌躇" often implies a deeper or more prolonged hesitation.