Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Undecided; hesitant: "dùng dằng" describes a state of being unable to make a firm decision, often due to conflicting feelings or thoughts, typically about whether to go or stay, or to take an action.
   • Vacillating; wavering: It can also refer to a prolonged state of indecision, where one lingers or delays a choice.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy vẫn còn dùng dằng chưa chấp nhận lời mời làm việc. (He is still hesitant and hasn't accepted the job offer yet.)
  • Cô ấy dùng dằng mãi ở cửa, không biết nên đi hay ở. (She lingered at the door for a long time, unsure whether to leave or stay.)
  • Thái độ dùng dằng của anh ta khiến mọi người rất sốt ruột. (His wavering attitude made everyone very impatient.)

Advanced Usage

• "dùng dằng không quyết": to be hesitant and unable to decide.

  • Đừng dùng dằng không quyết, thời gian không còn nhiều. (Don't hesitate and be indecisive; there isn't much time left.)

• "nửa dùng dằng nửa muốn": to be half hesitant, half willing.

  • Cô ấy trả lời với vẻ nửa dùng dằng nửa muốn. (She answered with an air of being half hesitant, half willing.)

Variants and Related Words

• Do dự (verb): to hesitate, to be in two minds. (A close synonym, but often implies a shorter moment of pause before a decision.)
• Lưỡng lự (verb): to be irresolute, to waver. (A synonym emphasizing the back-and-forth nature of indecision.)
• Chần chừ (verb): to delay, to procrastinate. (Focuses more on the act of delaying the decision or action.)

Synonyms

• Ngập ngừng: to falter, to hesitate (often in speech or movement).
• Phân vân: to be torn, to be in a dilemma (between specific options).

Related Phrases

• Dùng dằng như mắc tóc: (Idiom) to be extremely hesitant, literally "to hesitate as if hair is tangled." Used to describe a state of agonizing indecision.
  • Cứ dùng dằng như mắc tóc thế mãi thì sẽ lỡ việc. (If you keep being extremely hesitant like this, you'll miss your chance.)

Notes on Meaning

• Primary Connotation: "Dùng dằng" strongly conveys a sense of emotional tug, reluctance, or attachment that causes the delay, not just abstract indecision. It often implies a desire to prolong the current state or moment.
• Typical Contexts: It is frequently used in contexts involving departure, separation, or making a significant choice that involves leaving something or someone behind.

adj

1. undecide; hesitant