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ためらう Japanese meaning | Kotomora

ためらう

た

め

ら

う

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-u), intransitive verb

hesitate; waver; be indecisive

usually written using kana alone

Describes pausing or being unable to decide, often due to doubt, fear, or reluctance. Commonly used with ～のを or before another verb.

彼かれは返へん事じをためらった。
He hesitated to answer.
ためらわずに

言い

っ

て

ください

。

Please say it without hesitation.

Written forms

Applies to each form listed below

gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun

ためらうUsage92%
Standard kana spelling; usually written in kana.
躊躇ためらうUsage8%
Kanji form is rare and literary; the word is usually written in kana.

Kanji

躊hesitate
躇hesitate

Similar words

迷まよう
迷う is broader and often implies being lost or unable to choose between options, while ためらう focuses on the momentary pause or reluctance before acting.
躊ちゅう躇ちょ
躊躇 is a more formal noun/suru-verb often used in writing or serious contexts, whereas ためらう is the everyday verb form.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. The kanji 躊躇 are a jukujikun reading applied to the native Japanese verb ためらう.