JLPT N2Words

ためらう

Meaning
決断や行動を躊躇する
Explanation
「ためらう」 means to hesitate, unable to take a decision or action. It is the opposite of 「他人に任せる」 (leave it to others) or 「即座に行動する」 (act immediately); its characteristic is that action stops. 「撤回する」 means to retract something once decided, which differs from 「ためらう」, the stage of hesitating.
Original Japanese explanation

「ためらう」は決断や行動に踏み切れず迷う意味です。「他人に任せる」や「即座に行動する」とは反対で、行動が止まる点が特徴。「撤回する」は一度決めたことを取り消す意味で、迷っている段階の「ためらう」とは異なります。

Quick check

Choose the most appropriate meaning of 「ためらう」.

Tap the answer you think is right.

Practice this in the app

Sullivan Japanese grades your reading, writing, listening and speaking with AI and always serves the right question for your level. Free every day.

All JLPT N2 words