hesitate
To stop or pause respecting decision or actionTo stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.
» Don't hesitate to ask me questions.
Не стесняйся задавать мне вопросы.
Не стесняйтесь задавать мне вопросы.
Не вагайся ставити будь-які запитання.
Не вагайтеся ставити будь-які запитання.
Meaning
3 senses(intransitive)To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or uncertainty as to a determination.
He hesitated whether to accept the offer or not; men often hesitate in forming a judgment.
September 1, 1742, Alexander Pope, letter to Racine I shall not hesitate to declare myself very cordially, in regard to some particulars about which you have desired an answer.
zögern
колеба́тьсяkolebátʹsja, ме́длитьmédlitʹ, сомнева́тьсяsomnevátʹsja
колива́тисяkolyvátysja, хита́тисяxytátysja, вага́тисяvahátysja
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
(intransitive)To stammer; to falter in speaking.
zögern, stammeln
запина́тьсяzapinátʹsja, запну́тьсяzapnútʹsja, заика́тьсяzaikátʹsja
(poetic, rare, transitive)To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner.
Examples
296 sentencesDon't hesitate to ask me questions.
Не вагайся ставити будь-які запитання.
ruНе стесняйся задавать мне вопросы.
He hesitated before answering.
Він вагався перед тим, як відповісти.
ruОн колебался, перед тем как ответить.
deEr zögerte, bevor er antwortete.
Why did Tom hesitate?
Чому Том вагався?
ruПочему Том колебался?
deWarum zögerte Tom?
Don't hesitate to ask questions.
Не вагайтеся ставити питання.
ruНе стесняйтесь задавать вопросы.
He hesitated for a while.
Він на мить завагався.
ruОн поколебался мгновение.
deEr zögerte eine Weile.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 2
By meaning 2
Origin
Borrowed from Latin haesitātus, perfect passive participle of haesitō (see -ate (verb-formBorrowed from Latin haesitātus, perfect passive participle of haesitō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), intensive of haereō (“to hesitate, stick fast; to hang or hold fast”). Displaced native Old English wandian. Compare French hésiter.
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Forms
hesitates, hesitating, hesitated, hesitatedSynonyms
24 synonymsAntonyms
10 antonymsWord family
10 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle
Collocations
6 patterns- hesitate to ask
- hesitate to contact
- hesitate to call
- hesitated for a
- hesitate to tell
- didn't hesitate to