noun
stagnation; sediment; backwater
Refers to still, unmoving water or the sediment that settles in it. Also used metaphorically for a stagnant situation.
川の淀みに落ち葉がたまっていた。
Fallen leaves had gathered in the stagnant part of the river.
会議は淀みなく進んだ。
The meeting proceeded without a hitch.
noun
Describes a momentary stop or stumble in speech, action, or flow. Often used in negative forms like 淀みなく (without hesitation).
彼の説明には淀みがなかった。
His explanation was without hesitation.
スピーチの途中で小さな淀みがあった。
There was a slight pause in the middle of the speech.
Irregular okurigana usage; rarely seen.
Derived from the verb 淀む (よどむ, 'to stagnate'), with the nominalizing suffix み. The kanji 淀 and 澱 both relate to water and sediment.