Translation guide
The state of being unable to make a decision. In Japanese, this is often expressed through nouns describing hesitation, verbs for wavering, or set phrases about being unable to decide.
Describing the feeling or condition of being unable to decide
A common noun meaning chronic indecisiveness or being wishy-washy. Often used to describe a person's character.
彼は優柔不断で、なかなか決められない。
He is indecisive and can't seem to make up his mind.
A noun meaning hesitation, doubt, or being lost in thought. More about the mental state of wavering.
迷いがあって決断できない。
I have doubts and can't make a decision.
Hesitation or faltering, often in the moment before acting. Slightly more literary.
ためらいの後に、彼はようやく返事をした。
After some hesitation, he finally replied.
Expressing that you are stuck choosing between two or more things
The most direct and natural way to say 'I can't decide.' Use the potential negative form of 決める.
どっちにするか決められない。
I can't decide which one to choose.
Literally 'I am lost/wavering.' Very common for expressing indecision in the moment.
どの色にしようか迷っている。
I'm trying to decide which color to go with.
A more formal way to say 'I'm having trouble deciding.' Uses the かねる suffix meaning 'difficult to do.'
進路を決めかねています。
I'm having difficulty deciding on my career path.
Describing someone who is habitually indecisive
A person who is chronically indecisive. 優柔不断 can be used as a な-adjective.
彼女は優柔不断な人だから、いつも時間がかかる。
She's an indecisive person, so she always takes a long time.
Literally 'lacks decisiveness.' A straightforward way to say someone is not good at making decisions.
彼は決断力がないから、リーダーには向いていない。
He lacks decisiveness, so he's not suited to be a leader.
Describing a brief pause due to uncertainty
To hesitate or falter before doing something. Often used in negative form to encourage action.
ためらわずに言ってください。
Please don't hesitate to say it.
The English noun 'indecision' doesn't have a single perfect Japanese equivalent. Using 不決断 (ふけつだん) is rare and unnatural. Instead, use the phrases and words above depending on context.
迷う (まよう) is about being lost among options in your mind. ためらう is about hesitating to take an action, often due to fear or reluctance. 迷っている focuses on the state of indecision, while ためらっている focuses on the pause before acting.
An idiomatic expression meaning to hesitate or think twice before doing something. Literally 'to step with the second foot.'
高い値段に二の足を踏んだ。
I hesitated at the high price.