犹豫不决

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: yóu yù bù jué
• English Translation: Indecisive, lacking decisiveness, hesitating and unable to make up one's mind
• Idiom Composition: 「犹」（to hesitate）＋「豫」（to hesitate）＋「不」（not）＋「决」（to decide）
• Meaning: Describes the state of hesitating and being unable to make a decision. It refers to situations where one must decide something but feels uncertain and cannot reach a conclusion.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「犹豫不决」 contains the following nuances:

• Indecisiveness: Describes the state of wavering between multiple options and being unable to narrow down to one choice.
• Lack of decisiveness: Indicates a weak ability to make decisions and a tendency to procrastinate.
• Uncertainty: Represents a state of being unsure about which choice is best and feeling confused.
• Anxiety: Implies anxiety or fear about possible negative outcomes resulting from making a decision.

3. Usage

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

• Describing personality: Used to describe a personality that is indecisive or lacks decisiveness.
  • Example:「他是个犹豫不决的人，总是拿不定主意。」
    （He is an indecisive person who always can't make up his mind.）
• Describing actions: Used to describe situations where someone hesitates and cannot make a decision.
  • Example:「面对两个工作机会，他犹豫不决，不知道选择哪一个。」
    （Faced with two job offers, he is hesitating and doesn't know which one to choose.）
• Explaining situations: Used to explain situations where hesitation and anxiety arise when a decision must be made.
  • Example:「在这个紧急情况下，我们不能犹豫不决，必须迅速作出决定。」
    （In this emergency situation, we cannot afford to hesitate; we must make a quick decision.）

Additional Examples:

1. 她犹豫不决的性格让她在关键时刻总是错失良机。
   （Her indecisive nature causes her to miss important opportunities at critical moments.）
2. 在这个问题上，我一直犹豫不决，希望能听听你的意见。
   （I have been hesitating on this issue and would like to hear your opinion.）
3. 面对人生的重大抉择，他显得犹豫不决。
   （Faced with a major life decision, he appeared indecisive.）
4. 别再犹豫不决了，时间不等人！
   （Stop hesitating; time waits for no one!）
5. 经过一番犹豫不决，他最终还是选择了放弃。
   （After much hesitation, he ultimately chose to give up.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Valuing decisiveness: In Chinese culture, the ability to make quick and accurate decisions is highly valued. Therefore, '犹豫不决' is often used with a negative connotation.
• Contrast with decisiveness: '犹豫不决' is frequently contrasted with '果断' (decisive action), and indecisiveness is often criticized.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 举棋不定 (jǔ qí bù dìng): An expression from playing Go, meaning unable to decide where to place a piece; a metaphor for indecisiveness.
  • 迟疑不决 (chí yí bù jué): Hesitating and unable to make a decision.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 当机立断 (dāng jī lì duàn): To make an immediate decision on the spot.
  • 果断行事 (guǒ duàn xíng shì): To act decisively and resolutely.

6. Summary

'犹豫不决' is a commonly used Chinese idiom meaning indecisive or lacking decisiveness. It not only describes slow decision-making but also reflects the underlying hesitation, anxiety, and cultural attitudes toward decisiveness in Chinese society. Mastering this idiom will enhance your Chinese expression skills and deepen your understanding of Chinese culture.