Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Hesitation" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "hesitation", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
忌憚
きたん (kitan)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
逡巡
しゅんじゅん (shun_jun)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hesitation" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 忌憚 and 逡巡.
In Japanese, 忌憚 (きたん (kitan)) is typically associated with "hesitation, reserve, diffidence (almost exclusively used in the negative, e.g., 忌憚のない意見 - frank opinion)" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents 遠慮やはばかり、ためらいの気持ちを指します。ほとんど「忌憚のない意見」「忌憚なく申しますと」のように、否定形や「〜なく」の形で使われ、遠慮しない、率直な態度を表します。.
On the other hand, 逡巡 (しゅんじゅん (shun_jun)) maps to "hesitation; indecision; wavering" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents 決断や行動をためらい、なかなか前に進めない状態を指します。「迷う」よりも、よりフォーマルで、しばしば道義的・心理的な葛藤を含むニュアンスがあります。. A literal translation of "hesitation" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "忌憚"
忌憚のないご意見をお聞かせください。
Please give us your frank opinion (without hesitation).
Bilingual Context for "逡巡"
彼は重要な決断を前にして、長い間逡巡した。
He hesitated for a long time before making an important decision.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: " ＿＿＿ のないご意見をお聞かせください。" (Meaning: "Please give us your frank opinion (without hesitation).")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "忌憚" fits here because it means "hesitation, reserve, diffidence (almost exclusively used in the negative, e.g., 忌憚のない意見 - frank opinion)" in the context of: "Please give us your frank opinion (without hesitation).". "逡巡" represents "hesitation; indecision; wavering".