躇

A phono-semantic compound:

足 (foot) — semantic component, indicating movement/steps

著 (저) — phonetic component, supplying the sound (저 / zhú)

The character depicts feet that pause rather than advance, reinforcing the sense of hesitation in movement, which extends naturally to mental indecision.

Semantic development:

- physical hesitation — lingering steps

- behavioral indecision — delayed action

- mental wavering — cautious or irresolute judgment

躇 is rarely used alone and most commonly appears paired with 躊, forming a fixed binome. In Korean, 주저(躊躇) is well established, while native verbs (머뭇거리다, 머뭇머뭇하다) dominate everyday speech.

Common compounds:

주저 (躊躇) — hesitation; to hesitate

Classical/figurative usage:

진퇴양난에 빠져 머뭇거리다 — to hesitate between advancing and retreating

결단 앞에서 주저하다 — to hesitate before making a decision

In Modern Mandarin, 躇 appears almost exclusively in 踌躇 (chóuchú).

Because it functions mainly within this fixed compound and occurs in formal or literary contexts, it is classified as HSK Level 6.

Compared with 疑 (to doubt), 躇 emphasizes hesitation expressed through action (or lack thereof).

Related characters (hesitation & decision):

躊 — hesitate; linger (paired with 躇)

疑 — doubt

惑 — be confused

決 — decide; resolve

斷 — decide firmly; cut off

Among these, 躇 contributes the nuance of lingering steps, complementing 躊 in the binome 躊躇.