躊躇（ちゅうちょ、chuucho）
- hesitation

The Japanese word 躊躇 （ちゅうちょ, *chūcho*） means hesitation, reluctance, or wavering. It describes the state of being hesitant or indecisive about doing something, often due to doubt, fear, or a sense of uncertainty. It implies a pause or delay before taking action. The feeling is about postponing an action.

⚫︎ 彼女は返事を躊躇］した。 Translation: She hesitated before answering. ⚫︎ 試験の結果に不安で、申し込みを躊躇］している。 Translation: I am hesitant about applying because I am anxious about the exam results. ⚫︎ 彼は決断を躊躇］なく行った。 Translation: He made the decision without hesitation.

⚫︎ This word is used in both formal and informal situations. ⚫︎ You can use 躊躇 to describe your own feelings of hesitation or to comment on someone else's hesitation. ⚫︎ It's often used when there is a sense of uncertainty, fear, or doubt involved. ⚫︎ When using 躊躇, it implies that the person or subject is not taking immediate action.

⚫︎ The word is typically written in kanji as 躊躇. ⚫︎ The reading is ちゅうちょ (hiragana). ⚫︎ There are no other common ways to write this word. ⚫︎ The okurigana (送りがな, suffix hiragana) is always 躊躇.

⚫︎ 迷う (*mayou*) - to be lost; to hesitate; to waver ⚫︎ ためらう (*tamerau*) - to hesitate ⚫︎ 気後れする (*kiokure suru*) - to be intimidated; to be hesitant ⚫︎ 戸惑う (*tomadou*) - to be perplexed; to be bewildered; to be confused; to hesitate

⚫︎ 決断 (*ketsudan*) - decision; determination ⚫︎ 決心 (*kesshin*) - determination; resolution ⚫︎ 即決 (*sokketsu*) - immediate decision

彼は上司の命令に少し躊躇］したが、最終的には従った。 ・Translation: He hesitated a little at his boss's order, but ultimately complied. ・Explanation: This sentence shows the use of 躊躇 to describe a moment of hesitation before following an instruction.

何か質問がありますか、と聞かれ、私は少し躊躇］してから手を挙げた。 ・Translation: When asked if I had any questions, I hesitated a little before raising my hand. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates how 躊躇 can describe a moment of hesitation before taking an action in a conversation.

The word 躊躇 is a compound word derived from two kanji. ⚫︎ 躊: This kanji means "hesitate" or "waver." ⚫︎ 躇: This kanji also means "hesitate" or "waver." The combination of these two characters emphasizes the sense of hesitation and indecision.