Translation guide
Describes a person or action that shows difficulty in making decisions. Japanese expresses this through adjectives, verbs, and set phrases that focus on hesitation, lack of resolve, or wavering.
To say someone is habitually unable to decide things.
A common na-adjective/noun meaning 'indecisive' or 'wishy-washy'. Often used to describe a personality trait.
彼は優柔不断で、いつも決めるのに時間がかかる。
He is indecisive and always takes time to decide.
Literally 'lacks decisiveness'. A straightforward way to say someone is indecisive.
彼女は決断力がないから、リーダーには向いていない。
She is indecisive, so she's not suited to be a leader.
An adjective meaning 'half-hearted' or 'indecisive'. Often used for someone who won't give a clear answer.
彼の煮え切らない態度にイライラした。
I was irritated by his indecisive attitude.
A more literary term for indecisiveness, often used in formal writing.
優柔な態度では成功できない。
You cannot succeed with an indecisive attitude.
To describe a temporary state of hesitation or inability to choose.
The potential form of 決める (to decide) in the negative: 'can't decide'. Very natural in casual conversation.
どっちにするか決められない。
I can't decide which one to choose.
From 迷う (to be lost/hesitate). Means 'I'm hesitating' or 'I can't make up my mind'.
まだ迷っていて、決められない。
I'm still hesitating and can't decide.
An idiom meaning 'can't make up one's mind' or 'can't take the decisive step'. Implies a mental block.
転職するかどうか、踏ん切りがつかない。
I can't make up my mind about changing jobs.
To describe a reply that is vague or non-committal.
Means 'vague' or 'ambiguous'. Often used for answers that avoid a clear decision.
彼の返事はあいまいだった。
His reply was indecisive.
A 'half-hearted reply' that doesn't commit to a decision.
煮え切らない返事ばかりで、困ってしまう。
I'm troubled by all these indecisive answers.
The English word 'indecisive' is often translated as 優柔不断, but in casual speech, it's more natural to use phrases like 決められない or 迷っている to describe a specific moment of indecision.
Literally 'to step with the second foot', meaning to hesitate or be indecisive about taking action.
彼は契約に二の足を踏んでいる。
He is hesitating about the contract.