優柔不断(ゆうじゅうふだん)

ゆうじゅうふだん
na-adjective, noun
indecisive; wishy-washy
1. indecisive; irresolute; wishy-washy
Unable to make decisions promptly or firmly. Describes a person who hesitates and wavers when choices need to be made.
彼(かれ)は優柔不断(ゆうじゅうふだん)だ。
He is indecisive.
メニューを決(き)めるのに三十分(さんじゅっぷん)もかかるなんて、優柔不断(ゆうじゅうふだん)にも程(ほど)がある。
Taking thirty minutes to decide on the menu is being indecisive to an extreme.
優柔不断(ゆうじゅうふだん)な性格(せいかく)を直(なお)したくて、即断即決(そくだんそっけつ)を心(こころ)がけている。
I want to fix my indecisive personality, so I try to make quick decisions.

USAGE:
A four-character compound (四字熟語(よじじゅくご)) commonly used in everyday conversation, not just formal writing. Almost always negative in nuance.

ETYMOLOGY:
優柔(ゆうじゅう) (soft, gentle) + 不断(ふだん) (without cutting/deciding). Literally "soft and unable to cut" — unable to make a clean decision.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 優柔不断(ゆうじゅうふだん)な性格(せいかく) (indecisive personality)
  • 優柔不断(ゆうじゅうふだん)な人(ひと) (an indecisive person)
general
Added 2026.3.14 22:04
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