逡巡する

• Reading: しゅんじゅんする
• Romaji: shunjunsuru
• Kanji breakdown: 逡 (shun) — to retreat, shrink back; 巡 (jun) — to go around, circulate
• Pronunciation: /ɕɯn.dʑɯn.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To hesitate; to vacillate; to waver. To be unable to make up one's mind due to uncertainty, fear, or conflicting feelings.

A Group 3 (suru) compound verb. 逡巡 is a Sino-Japanese noun meaning deep hesitation or irresolute wavering; adding する makes it a verb. Unlike 躊躇する (also 'to hesitate'), 逡巡する often implies a longer, more agonising indecision — going back and forth without resolution. It carries a literary tone and appears frequently in novels, formal essays, and political commentary. Colloquially, 躊躇する or ためらう are more common.

Examples

1. 部長への抗議を口にしようとして逡巡し、結局何も言えなかった。 She wavered on the verge of voicing her objection to the department head, and in the end said nothing at all.
2. 大学院への進学か就職かで一年近く逡巡した末に、留学という決断を下した。 After nearly a year of agonising indecision between graduate school and employment, she finally resolved to study abroad.
3. 逡巡している時間はない。今すぐ動かなければプロジェクトが止まる。 There is no time to hesitate. If we don't act right now, the project will grind to a halt.

Usage Guide

Context: decision-making, psychology, literature, politics, ethics

Tone: literary, formal

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 逡 (shun — to retreat, shrink back) + 巡 (jun — to go around, circulate). The image is of the mind circling back and forth without advancing. Attested in classical Chinese texts and adopted into Japanese literary usage.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical-Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Educated