Meanings of 迟疑
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Podcast: 迟疑
Podcast: 迟疑
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AI study notes for 迟疑
犹豫 (yóuyù) vs 迟疑 (chíyí): use 迟疑 when emphasizing a pause in decision-making, while 犹豫 implies a more prolonged indecision.
Learners often confuse this with similar words like 犹豫 (yóu yù), which has a more casual tone. 迟疑 is more formal and can be used in written and spoken contexts. Be careful with the tones; mixing them can change the meaning entirely.
As an HSK 6 word, 迟疑 is useful for expressing complex emotions and thoughts in conversations. Focus on using it in contexts related to decision-making and personal reflections, linking it with other HSK 6 words related to feelings and choices.
Learners often mix up 迟疑 with the verb 猜疑 (cāi yí) which means to suspect. For example, saying '我迟疑他的动机' (I hesitate his motives) is incorrect; the correct form should be '我怀疑他的动机' (I suspect his motives).
Pronunciation of 迟疑
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Component characters
How to say to hesitate in Chinese
“to hesitate” in Chinese is迟疑
迟疑 (chí yí) means to hesitate or to be indecisive. It is often used in situations where someone is unsure about making a decision or taking action, reflecting a pause or uncertainty in thought or behavior.
When to use 迟疑
Learners often confuse this with similar words like 犹豫 (yóu yù), which has a more casual tone. 迟疑 is more formal and can be used in written and spoken contexts. Be careful with the tones; mixing them can change the meaning entirely.
迟疑 or something close to it
犹豫 (yóuyù) vs 迟疑 (chíyí): use 迟疑 when emphasizing a pause in decision-making, while 犹豫 implies a more prolonged indecision.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 迟疑 with the verb 猜疑 (cāi yí) which means to suspect. For example, saying '我迟疑他的动机' (I hesitate his motives) is incorrect; the correct form should be '我怀疑他的动机' (I suspect his motives).
Write 迟疑
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Practice writing 迟疑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 迟疑
迟疑 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
“你能帮我个忙吗？”她____地问。
"Would you do me a favour?" she asked hesitantly.
Example sentences for 迟疑 (5)
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Frequently asked questions about 迟疑
While both mean to hesitate, 迟疑 is more formal and often implies a deeper contemplation, whereas 犹豫 is more casual and can refer to everyday indecisiveness.
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