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synonym Comparative
思いとどまる
VS
鶏口牛後

Differences Between "思いとどまる" and "鶏口牛後"

Option A
思いとどまる
Meaning
to reconsider and stop; to think better of it; to restrain oneself from doing something
Reading
おもいとどまる (omoitodomaru)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
彼は会社を辞めようとしたが、思いとどまった。
He was about to quit the company, but he thought better of it.
Option B
鶏口牛後
Meaning
better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox; better to be a leader in a small group than a follower in a large one
Reading
けいこうぎゅうご
Syllabus Level
C2PLUS
Practical Example
私は鶏口牛後に興味があります。
I am interested in better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox; better to be a leader in a small group than a follower in a large one.

Which one to use?

Select the correct Japanese word for this context

Which word fits this context: "(to reconsider and stop; to think better of it; to restrain oneself from doing something)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 思いとどまる: Implies a decision to stop or not proceed with an action one was considering, often due to a change of mind, reflection, or external influence. It means to hold back at the last minute.
- 鶏口牛後: Essential structural term in CEFR C2PLUS vocabulary syllabus. (CEFR C2PLUS語彙シラバスにおける重要表現です。)
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