Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Hesitate" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "hesitate", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
憚る
はばかる (habakaru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
言いよどむ
いいよどむ (iiyodomu)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hesitate" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 憚る and 言いよどむ.
In Japanese, 憚る (はばかる (habakaru)) is typically associated with "to hesitate, to be afraid of what others might think, to refrain (out of deference)" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents To hesitate or refrain from doing something, often due to concern about what others might think, social norms, or showing deference. 他人の目や評価を気にして、遠慮したりためらったりすること。 「人目をはばかる」のように使う。.
On the other hand, 言いよどむ (いいよどむ (iiyodomu)) maps to "to hesitate to say" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "hesitate" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "憚る"
人目を憚ることなく、自分の意見を堂々と述べた。
I boldly stated my opinion without worrying about what others might think.
Bilingual Context for "言いよどむ"
毎日、日本語を練習するために言いよどむ。
Every day, I hesitate to say to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "人目を ＿＿＿ ことなく、自分の意見を堂々と述べた。" (Meaning: "I boldly stated my opinion without worrying about what others might think.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "憚る" fits here because it means "to hesitate, to be afraid of what others might think, to refrain (out of deference)" in the context of: "I boldly stated my opinion without worrying about what others might think.". "言いよどむ" represents "to hesitate to say".