躊

A phono-semantic compound:

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

壽 (수) — phonetic component, supplying the sound (주 / zhóu)

The image suggests feet that do not advance decisively, evoking lingering steps and thus hesitation.

Semantic development:

- physical lingering — hesitant steps

- mental hesitation — indecision

- deliberative pause — cautious weighing (context-dependent)

躊 is most commonly used paired with 躇, forming a fixed binome.

Common compounds:

주저 (躊躇) — hesitation; to hesitate

Classical/figurative use:

진퇴를 망설이다 — to hesitate between advancing and retreating

결단을 내리지 못하다 — to fail to decide promptly

In Modern Mandarin, 踌躇 (chóuchú) is the standard expression for “to hesitate.”

Because the word appears mainly as a fixed compound and in formal writing, 躊 is classified as HSK Level 6.

Unlike 疑 (to doubt), 躊 emphasizes hesitation in action rather than uncertainty of belief.

Related characters (hesitation & decision):

躇 / 躕 — hesitate; linger (paired forms)

疑 — doubt

惑 — be confused

決 — decide; resolve

斷 — cut off; decide firmly

Among these, 躊 captures hesitation as movement that fails to advance.