1.
to hesitate, to be reluctant, to balk
To show unwillingness or reluctance to do something, often while not outright refusing. Implies dragging one's feet or being unenthusiastic about cooperating.
彼は返事を渋った。
He was reluctant to reply.
会社は情報の公開を渋っている。
The company is reluctant to disclose the information.
最初は協力を渋っていたが、最終的に引き受けてくれた。
At first they were reluctant to cooperate, but in the end they agreed to take it on.
USAGE:
Takes a direct object with を marking the action the person is reluctant to do. Often used in the ～ている form to describe an ongoing state of reluctance. Related to the adjective 渋い, sharing the root meaning of something being difficult or unpleasant.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 返事を渋る: to be reluctant to answer
- 支払いを渋る: to be reluctant to pay
- 協力を渋る: to be reluctant to cooperate
- 許可を渋る: to be reluctant to grant permission
Related Words
Related:
渋い (adjective)