hesitant

/ˈhezɪtənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhezɪtənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhe-zə-tənt/ (ame, mw)

hesitant — adjective

  • hesitantpositive
  • more hesitantcomparative
  • most hesitantsuperlative

1. describing someone who waits or pauses before doing something because they feel

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describing someone who waits or pauses before doing something because they feel unsure, nervous, or not fully willing to do it

例句

Mei-Lin was hesitant to try the spicy soup, but her friend promised it was delicious.

hesitant + to-infinitive pattern

The manager gave a hesitant answer when reporters asked about the company's future plans.

hesitant + noun (hesitant answer)

同義詞
  • reluctant

    stronger unwillingness; implies active resistance rather than simple uncertainty

  • uncertain

    focuses on lack of knowledge or conviction, not necessarily on delaying action

  • indecisive

    describes a personality trait of habitually struggling to choose, not a temporary state

  • tentative

    describes an action or offer that is cautious and not final; typically modifies things, not people

反義詞
  • eager

    keen and ready to act, the opposite of holding back

  • decisive

    acting with clear and firm certainty

文法句型

hesitant + to-infinitive

hesitant + about + noun phrase/gerund

用法筆記

Commonly used in the pattern 'hesitant to + base verb' or 'hesitant about + noun/gerund'. The to-infinitive pattern is more frequent in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌I am hesitant going alone.
✅I am hesitant to go alone.
💡hesitant is followed by 'to + infinitive', not a gerund without 'to'.
❌She was hesitant for signing the contract.
✅She was hesitant about signing the contract.
💡use 'about' (not 'for') before a gerund.