How to say "hesitation" in Japanese

• 迷いまよいCommon
  nounCovers hesitation as inner wavering — being torn between options or unsure which way to turn. The word centers on a state of mental uncertainty, and it also serves for doubt and bewilderment.
• 躊躇ちゅうちょCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe closest match for hesitation as indecision: pausing or holding back because you have not made up your mind. Use it for wavering over whether to act — before speaking up, agreeing, or committing yourself.
  ひとたび躊躇ちゅうちょしたら、君きみはおしまいだ。↗

  Once you hesitate, you are lost.
• 遠慮えんりょJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbSeldom the word you want for hesitation as indecision: its real territory is restraint and reserve — holding back out of politeness, modesty, or consideration for others. Reach for it only when 'hesitation' means politely refraining.
• 二の足にのあしCommon
  expression, nounHesitation as balking: drawing back from a step that feels daunting, risky, or unpleasant. The image is of recoiling rather than weighing options; it appears chiefly in the set phrase 二の足を踏む, 'to hesitate to do'.

Use 躊躇 for pausing in indecision before acting, 「迷い」 for inner wavering or doubt, 「二の足」 for balking at a daunting step, and 遠慮 only for holding back out of politeness or restraint.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 迷いまよいhesitation
• 躊躇ちゅうちょhesitation
• 遠慮えんりょreserve
• 尻込みしりごみhesitation
• 逡巡しゅんじゅんhesitation
• 憚りはばかりhesitation
• 遅疑ちぎhesitation
• ためらいfaltering
• 忌憚きたんreserve
• 右顧左眄うこさべんinability to make up one's mind due to worrying about how others will think
• 狐疑こぎdoubt
• 遅疑逡巡ちぎしゅんじゅんshilly-shally
• 二の足にのあしhesitation
• 淀みよどみfaltering