Definition

1. Adjective (describing a state of mind):
   • To be undecided / to be uncertain: To be in a state of hesitation, unable to make a clear choice between two or more options.
   • To be of two minds / to be torn: To have conflicting thoughts or feelings about a decision, feeling pulled in different directions.
   • To be wavering: To be unsteady or hesitant in making a final decision.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Tôi rất phân vân giữa hai công việc này. (I am very undecided between these two jobs.)
  • Cô ấy phân vân không biết có nên mua chiếc váy đó không. (She is of two minds about whether to buy that dress.)
  • Sự phân vân của anh ấy kéo dài cả tuần. (His state of indecision lasted the whole week.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "phân vân" often describes a prolonged internal debate. It is more about the feeling of being stuck in contemplation than about a momentary pause.
• It can be intensified with adverbs like "rất" (very) or "quá" (too).

Variants and Related Words

• Do dự (v): to hesitate, to pause before doing something. This often implies a shorter, more action-oriented moment of pause compared to the deeper contemplation of "phân vân".

  • Anh ấy do dự một chút trước khi trả lời. (He hesitated a little before answering.)

• Lưỡng lự (adj/v): to be hesitant, to vacillate. This is a close synonym to "phân vân", often used in more formal contexts.

  • Không nên lưỡng lự trong tình huống khẩn cấp. (One should not hesitate in an emergency situation.)

Synonyms

• Hesitant: tentative or unsure in acting or speaking.
• Indecisive: not able to make decisions quickly and effectively.
• Torn: divided between conflicting feelings or choices.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Phân vân lưỡng lự: This phrase combines two near-synonyms to strongly emphasize a state of deep hesitation and indecision.
  • Sự phân vân lưỡng lự khiến anh ấy bỏ lỡ cơ hội. (The deep hesitation caused him to miss the opportunity.)

1. [Be] wavering [be] undecided, [be] of two minds
   • Phân vân không biết nên về hay nên ở
     To be wavering between coming back and staying on