Translation guide
To be indecisive, waver between choices, or change one's mind repeatedly.
Express that someone is hesitating or going back and forth between two or more choices.
The most common and natural way to say 'can't decide' or 'hesitate between options'. Often used with 〜か〜か or 〜かどうか.
Express that someone's stance or decision keeps shifting back and forth.
Literally 'one's mind changes'. Used when someone changes their mind, often repeatedly. Can be used for oneself or others.
彼はよく気が変わる。
He often vacillates; he changes his mind a lot.
また気が変わったの？
Did you vacillate again?
Express that someone's determination or loyalty is unsteady.
Similar to 揺れる but often implies a deeper emotional wavering, such as in loyalty or conviction.
彼の言葉で心が揺らいだ。
My resolve vacillated because of his words.
迷う is a verb describing the act of being indecisive in a specific situation. 優柔不断 is a noun/adjective describing a person's chronic indecisiveness as a character trait.
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'vacillate' in all contexts. Using a direct translation like 動揺する may sound too strong or formal. Choose the expression based on the specific nuance: indecision, changing mind, or wavering resolve.
I'm vacillating over which university to go to.
買うか買わないか迷っている。
I'm vacillating about whether to buy it or not.
Describes a person's character as indecisive or wishy-washy. Often used as a noun or na-adjective.
彼は優柔不断で、なかなか決められない。
He's so indecisive; he can never make up his mind.
A polite, somewhat formal way to say 'find it hard to decide'. Often used in business or when showing hesitation.
どちらにするか決めかねています。
I'm vacillating between the two; I can't decide.
Literally 'step back with the second foot', meaning to hesitate or be reluctant to commit. More about hesitation due to fear or doubt.
新しい事業に二の足を踏んでいる。
I'm vacillating about starting the new business.
Emphasizes that opinions change frequently and unpredictably, like a rolling object. 'ころころ' is an onomatopoeia for light rolling or flipping.
彼の意見はころころ変わる。
His opinions vacillate constantly.
Means 'to sway' or 'to waver'. Used for emotions, decisions, or loyalty. Often in the form 心が揺れる.
彼の心はまだ揺れている。
His heart is still vacillating.
A four-character idiom meaning 'looking right and left', i.e., being unable to decide because of considering others' opinions or circumstances. Very formal and literary.
右顧左眄するばかりで、何も決まらない。
He just vacillates and nothing gets decided.
To flinch or waver in the face of difficulty or opposition. Often used when someone's confidence is shaken.
彼は困難にたじろがなかった。
He didn't vacillate in the face of difficulty.
Disturbance or agitation; can mean emotional wavering or being shaken. Often used as a noun or suru-verb.
彼は動揺して、決断できなかった。
He vacillated and couldn't make a decision.