Korean word

망설이다

Pronunciation

Romanizationmangseorida

Meaning

  • verbhesitate

Example

결정을 망설이고 있어요.kyeol jeong eul mang seo ri go i sseo yo

I'm hesitating to make a decision.

Illustration for 망설이다 (hesitate)

More examples

도움을 청하는 것을 망설였어요.to u meul cheong ha neun keo seul mang seo ryeo sseo yo

I hesitated to ask for help.

Core concept

Pausing at the point of action or choice instead of committing right away.

Common phrases

  • 결정을 망설이다kyeol jeong eul mang seo ri da

    hesitate to make a decision

  • 참여를 망설이다cha myeo reul mang seo ri da

    hesitate about participating

Similar words

머뭇거리다meomutkkeorida: To keep stopping for short moments while trying to speak or act.
주저하다chujeohada: To hold back from starting an action or making a decision.
주춤하다chuchumhada: To stop or falter briefly while moving forward.
고민하다kominhada: To think deeply about a problem or choice while struggling to settle on an answer.

Definition in Korean

어떤 행동이나 결정을 바로 하지 못하고 잠깐 머뭇거리거나 주저하는 동작을 이르는 말.eo tteon haeng dong i na kyeol jeong eul pa ro ha ji mo ta go cham kkan meo mut kkeo ri geo na chu jeo ha neun tong ja geul i reu neun mal

Word origin

망설이다 (mangseorida, "to hesitate") is a native Korean verb, making its whole form a useful memory anchor for the moment when action stops before a choice.

Usage tips

  • This verb usually describes a temporary state, so it does not by itself suggest that someone always lacks confidence.

Other meanings

  • be undecidedverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 망설임mangseorimhesitationnoun
  • 망설거리다mangseolgeoridabe hesitantverb

Word lists with this word