犹豫不决

• Pinyin: yóu yù bù jué
• Desglose de hanzi: 犹 = hesitant ape; 豫 = hesitant elephant; 不 = not; 决 = 氵+ 夬 (water breaking through — decisive resolution)

Significado

Indeciso; irresoluto; no decidirse.

A four-character idiom (成语). 犹豫 (to hesitate) + 不决 (undecided/unresolved). Describes a persistent failure to commit to a course of action despite having sufficient information. Contrasts with 当机立断 (to decide promptly and resolutely). Often used critically to highlight a failure of leadership or personal will. Can describe individuals, committees, or governments.

Ejemplos

1. 领导人在金融危机中犹豫不决，错过了干预时机，小危机最终拖成系统性崩溃。
2. 对方在核心条款上一直犹豫不决，后来我们才知道，他们内部对是否放弃合作有严重分歧。
3. 犹豫不决往往不是意志力不足，而是价值冲突：两种同样重要却不同的选择，让人难以下决心。

Guía de uso

Contexto: leadership, psychology, decision-making, criticism

Tono: critical

Correcto

• 在突发军事冲突中，最高指挥层的犹豫不决往往比装备劣势更致命，因为战机一旦错过，代价会迅速放大。(In sudden military conflicts, irresolution at the top command level is often more deadly than equipment inferiority, because once an opportunity is missed, the cost quickly grows.)
• 这家企业因管理层长期犹豫不决，错过了并购和布局机会，等到董事会介入转型时，市场空间已明显收窄。(This company missed acquisition and strategic positioning opportunities because management was indecisive for a long time, and by the time the board stepped in to transform it, the market space had already narrowed.)

Incorrecto

• 他犹豫不决地选了汉堡 — 犹豫不决 implies significant and consequential indecision; using it for minor food choices is comic overstatement; 他选汉堡时很纠结 is more natural for minor everyday decisions

Origen e historia

犹豫 (hesitate — both 犹 and 豫 are types of animals (ape/elephant) known for excessive caution and hesitation before moving) + 不 (not) + 决 (decide/resolve — 氵water + 夬 cleave; water breaking through a barrier, a decisive act)

Contexto cultural

Época: Classical–Modern

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal