(ちゅうちょ)

ちゅうちょ
noun, suru-verb
hesitation; wavering
1. hesitation; wavering; indecision
The state of being unable to decide or act due to uncertainty or reluctance. Can describe momentary pause or prolonged indecisiveness.
躊躇(ちゅうちょ)なく(こた)えた。
I answered without hesitation.
高額(こうがく)なので購入(こうにゅう)躊躇(ちゅうちょ)した。
I hesitated to buy it because it was expensive.
(かれ)一瞬(いっしゅん)躊躇(ちゅうちょ)もなく()()んだ。
He jumped in without a moment's hesitation.

KANJI:
(ちゅう) and (ちょ) are both rare characters that almost exclusively appear in this word. The kanji originally referred to hesitating steps.

USAGE:

Often used with negation to emphasize decisiveness:

  • 躊躇(ちゅうちょ)なく - without hesitation
  • 躊躇(ちゅうちょ)せずに - without hesitating

COLLOCATIONS:

  • 躊躇(ちゅうちょ)する - to hesitate
  • 躊躇(ちゅうちょ)(かん)じる - to feel hesitation
  • 躊躇(ちゅうちょ)(おぼ)える - to experience hesitation

RELATED:

  • ためらう - to hesitate (native Japanese)
  • (まよ)う - to be unsure, waver