Translation guide
How to express that someone is reluctant or pauses before speaking, often due to embarrassment, difficulty, or politeness.
The speaker finds it hard to bring themselves to say something because it is awkward, painful, or embarrassing.
Literally 'hard to say'. Used when the content is difficult to express, often because it's embarrassing or awkward.
ちょっと言いにくいんだけど…
It's a bit hard to say, but...
本当のことを言いにくい。
It's hard to say the truth.
Similar to 言いにくい, but often implies psychological difficulty or discomfort in saying something.
彼には言いづらい。
It's hard to tell him.
A more direct translation of 'hesitate to say'. Slightly formal.
彼女に真実を言うのをためらった。
I hesitated to tell her the truth.
The speaker is reluctant to express their thoughts, often due to fear of offending or being wrong.
Literally 'hesitate with one's mouth'. Used when someone pauses before speaking.
彼は少し口をためらった。
He hesitated to speak for a moment.
To falter or stammer while speaking, often due to hesitation.
彼女は言いよどんだ。
She hesitated to speak.
To mumble or be unable to speak clearly because of hesitation.
The speaker holds back from saying something because it might seem rude, boastful, or inappropriate.
To refrain from saying something out of consideration for others.
遠慮して言わなかった。
I hesitated to say it out of politeness.
To hold back from saying something, often to avoid causing trouble.
彼は批判を言い控えた。
He hesitated to voice his criticism.
Both mean 'hard to say', but 言いにくい focuses on the content being difficult to articulate, while 言いづらい emphasizes the psychological discomfort of saying it. In many cases they are interchangeable.
この話は言いにくい。
This story is hard to tell.
上司に言いづらい。
It's hard to tell my boss.
彼は口ごもって、何も言えなかった。
He hesitated and couldn't say anything.