優柔不断

• Reading: ゆうじゅうふだん
• Romaji: yuujuufudan
• Kanji breakdown: 優 (yuu) — gentle, superior; 柔 (juu) — soft, flexible; 不 (fu) — not; 断 (dan) — cut, decide
• Pronunciation: /jɯː.dʑɯː.ɸɯ.daɴ/

Meaning

Indecisive; irresolute; wishy-washy. Unable to make up one's mind.

A four-character compound (四字熟語) used as a na-adjective to describe someone who cannot commit to a decision. 優柔不断な人 (indecisive person), 優柔不断な態度 (irresolute attitude). Always negative — it implies weakness of will, not careful deliberation. A common self-criticism in Japanese culture, where decisiveness is valued.

Examples

1. 彼は優柔不断で、レストランのメニューも決められない。 He's so indecisive he can't even choose from a restaurant menu.
2. 優柔不断な態度がチーム全体に悪影響を与えた。 His irresolute attitude had a negative effect on the whole team.
3. 自分の優柔不断な性格を直したいと思っている。 I want to fix my indecisive nature.

Usage Guide

Context: personality, self-reflection, criticism

Tone: negative

Origin & History

A four-character Sino-Japanese compound: 優柔 (yuujuu, gentle/soft) + 不断 (fudan, not cutting/not decisive). Literally 'soft and unable to cut' — too gentle to sever ties with options and commit to one path.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal