Wishy-washy
Significado: Unable to make decisions or take a firm stance — lacking conviction or backbone.
A 'wishy-washy' person can't commit to an opinion or decision. They change their mind constantly, give vague answers, and avoid taking sides. In American culture, which values decisiveness and directness, being wishy-washy is a significant character flaw. It's commonly used in political contexts for leaders who won't take clear positions.
Ejemplos
- He's so wishy-washy — he changes his opinion depending on who he's talking to. 他太优柔寡断了——跟谁说话就随谁的观点变。Es tan indeciso que cambia de opinión según con quién esté hablando.彼は本当に優柔不断で、話す相手によって意見をコロコロ変える。그는 정말 우유부단해서, 대화 상대에 따라 의견을 계속 바꾼다.
- Stop being wishy-washy and just pick a restaurant. 别磨磨蹭蹭的了,赶紧选个餐厅吧。Deja de darle vueltas y elige un restaurante de una vez.グズグズしてないで、さっさとレストランを決めてよ。우물쭈물하지 말고 그냥 식당 하나 골라.
- Voters don't trust wishy-washy candidates who won't give straight answers. 选民不信任那些不给出明确答复的优柔寡断的候选人。Los votantes no se fían de los candidatos blandengues que no dan respuestas claras.有権者は、はっきり答えない優柔不断な候補者を信用しない。유권자들은 명확한 답변을 하지 않는 우유부단한 후보를 신뢰하지 않는다.
Pronunciación
Guía de uso
Contexto: decision-making, politics, leadership, relationships
Tono: frustrated, critical
✓ Correcto
- Don't be wishy-washy.别那么优柔寡断。No seas tan indeciso.Don't be wishy-washy.(優柔不断になるなよ。)우유부단하게 굴지 마.
- He's so wishy-washy.他太没主见了。Es un blandengue.He's so wishy-washy.(彼は本当に煮え切らない。)그는 정말 우유부단해.
✗ Incorrecto
- Some people need time to process decisions — 'wishy-washy' should be reserved for chronic indecisiveness, not thoughtful deliberation有些人需要时间来思考决定——'wishy-washy'应该留给长期的优柔寡断,而不是深思熟虑的斟酌。Algunas personas necesitan tiempo para procesar decisiones — 'wishy-washy' debería reservarse para la indecisión crónica, no para la reflexión meditadaじっくり考えてから決める人もいる——「wishy-washy」は慢性的な優柔不断に対して使うべきで、慎重に熟考している人には使わない어떤 사람들은 결정을 내리는 데 시간이 필요하다 — '위시워시'는 만성적인 우유부단함에 사용해야지, 신중한 숙고에 대해 쓰면 안 된다
Origen e historia
From a reduplication of 'washy' (weak, diluted) dating back to the 1690s. Became common in American English, especially in political commentary, where decisiveness is considered a leadership virtue.
Contexto cultural
Era: 1690s origins, still common
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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