HSK · Level 31
135 words
Chinese word
畏缩
Pronunciation
Pinyinwèi suō
Meaning
- verbflinch
Example
面对困难，他没有畏缩。miàn duì kùn nán tā méi yǒu wèi suō
Faced with difficulties, he did not flinch.
More examples
在陌生场合，他没有畏缩，主动和大家交谈。zài mò shēng chǎng hé tā méi yǒu wèi suō zhǔ dòng hé dà jiā jiāo tán
In unfamiliar situations, he did not flinch and took the initiative to talk with everyone.
Core concept
Fear draws a person inward and backward, so forward action stops.
Common phrases
畏缩不前wèi suō bù qián
shrink back
在压力面前畏缩zài yā lì miàn qián wèi suō
shrink under pressure
对困难畏缩duì kùn nán wèi suō
shrink from difficulties
Similar words
退缩tuì suō: Pull back when facing danger or difficulty and avoid moving forward.
犹豫yóu yù: Hesitate to act because a decision remains unclear.
畏惧wèi jù: Feel strong fear toward something and be intimidated by it.
畏怯wèi qiè: Act timidly, hold back from taking initiative, and seem nervous about moving ahead.
Definition in Chinese
因恐惧或害怕而在行动或态度上退缩，不敢面对或继续前进。yīn kǒng jù huò hài pà ér zài xíng dòng huò tài dù shàng tuì suō bù gǎn miàn duì huò jì xù qián jìn
Word origin
畏 (wèi, "fear") + 缩 (suō, "shrink") presents fear as making a person contract inward, which explains retreating from action.
Usage tips
- The word usually points to pressure or fear as the reason progress stops, rather than presenting the pause as a calm choice.
Other meanings
- hesitateverb
- be intimidatedverb
Related words
- 畏缩不前wèi suō bù qiánshrink backidiom