cyu4躕蹰
Jyutpingcyu4
Yalechyùh
Definition
To hesitate, falter, or be irresolute.
writtendescriptionsdaily actions
How it's used
Literary in origin, this word is rarely used in everyday spoken Cantonese compared to common alternatives like 猶豫 or 諗嚟諗去. It carries a slightly more descriptive, almost visual feel of someone pacing back and forth or physically faltering due to indecision. You will mostly encounter it in written media or formal storytelling rather than casual conversation.
Examples
He hesitated at the door for a long time and didn't dare to go in.
Don't hesitate when making decisions, be quicker.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 躊躇, which is a formal four-character idiom. Using 躕 alone in casual speech can sound overly dramatic or archaic to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
