犹豫不决

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yóu yù bù jué
• English Translation: Hesitant and indecisive
• Idiom Composition: 「犹豫」（To hesitate or waver (a compound word)）＋「不」（Not）＋「决」（To decide or determine）
• Meaning: A state of being unable to make a decision or take a firm stand when one is needed. It often carries a negative nuance, implying a lack of resolve or weakness in character.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「犹豫不决」 contains the following nuances:

• Lack of Resolve: The focus of this idiom is not just on the act of thinking, but on the 'weakness' or 'slowness' of failing to act when a decision is required.
• The Compound Term 犹豫 (yóu yù): The first two characters, 犹豫 (yóu yù), form a 'lianmianyu' (a word where the two characters must stay together to retain meaning). Etymologically, it is said to be derived from the names of two suspicious animals in ancient legends that were prone to stopping and starting.

3. Usage

「犹豫不决」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing Personality: Used to criticize a person's character for lacking leadership or the ability to make firm choices.
  • Example:「他性格软弱，遇到大事总是犹豫不决，很难担当重任。」
    （He has a weak personality and is always hesitant and indecisive when facing major issues, making it difficult for him to take on heavy responsibilities.）
• Missing Opportunities: Used to describe situations where a delay in decision-making leads to failure or loss.
  • Example:「就在你犹豫不决的时候，竞争对手已经抢先一步占领了市场。」
    （While you were wavering, your competitors took the lead and captured the market.）
• Dilemmas: Describes the psychological state of being torn between two equally attractive or difficult options.
  • Example:「面对两个同样诱人的工作机会，她犹豫不决，不知道该选哪一个。」
    （Faced with two equally tempting job offers, she was unable to make up her mind about which one to choose.）

Additional Examples:

1. 别再犹豫不决了，机会稍纵即逝！
   （Stop hesitating; opportunities vanish in the blink of an eye!）
2. 由于指挥官犹豫不决，导致部队错失了最佳进攻时机。
   （Because the commander was indecisive, the troops missed the perfect window for an attack.）
3. 与其犹豫不决，不如先试一试再说。
   （Instead of being in two minds, it is better to just give it a try first.）
4. 这种犹豫不决的态度会让你失去很多朋友。
   （This indecisive attitude will cause you to lose many friends.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Etymological Origins: One theory suggests that 犹 (yóu) and 豫 (yù) were ancient animals—a type of suspicious monkey and a large, cautious elephant-like creature. Their tendency to stop, listen, and retreat at the slightest sound became the metaphor for human hesitation.
• Modern Social Context: In modern Chinese culture, particularly in the fast-paced business world, being 果断 (guǒ duàn) or 'decisive' is a highly valued trait. Consequently, 犹豫不决 (yóu yù bù jué) is almost exclusively used as a negative critique of someone's efficiency or leadership.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 优柔寡断 (yōu róu guǎ duàn): Soft and indecisive; usually refers to a permanent personality flaw rather than a temporary state.link
  • 举棋不定 (jǔ qí bù dìng): Literally 'holding a chess piece without knowing where to move it'; describes hesitation in a specific situation.
  • 瞻前顾后 (zhān qián gù hòu): To be overly cautious and hesitant, considering too many things before acting.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 当机立断 (dāng jī lì duàn): To make a prompt decision at the opportune moment.
  • 斩钉截铁 (zhǎn dīng jié tiě): Literally 'to cut the nail and chop the iron'; to be resolute and decisive in speech or action.
  • 毫不犹豫 (háo bù yóu yù): To not hesitate at all.link

6. Summary

犹豫不决 (yóu yù bù jué) describes the act of wavering or being in two minds at a critical moment. It is frequently used in professional and personal contexts to criticize indecisiveness or to explain why a valuable opportunity was lost.