優柔不断な
解説 Definition
優柔不断なとは、決断を下すことが難しく、しばしば躊躇や迷いが見られる状態を指します。決定を下す能力や自信が欠けている様子を表現します。
Indecisive describes someone who has difficulty making choices or reaching a decision. It is commonly used for people who change their mind often or hesitate too much. It usually has a negative meaning, especially in daily life or work.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
decide（決める）を知っていれば、decisive は「決断が速く、態度がはっきりした」。先頭の in- が付くと向きが反転して、「決めきれない」indecisive になる。be indecisive about which plan to choose のように、選択肢を前に迷い続ける場面でよく出る。hesitant は一瞬ためらう感じだが、indecisive は考えても結論が固まらない感じ。decision, decisive, indecisive を並べて覚えると、語形と意味が一気につながる。
Build it from the same family: `decision`, `decide`, `decisive`, `indecisive`. The prefix `in-` flips the meaning, so instead of being firm and clear, the person cannot settle on a choice. It is stronger than a brief hesitation and suggests staying stuck between options.
例文
He was indecisive about which job offer to accept.
彼はどちらの職を受けるかについて優柔不断でした。
The indecisive leader could not make a clear choice during the crisis.
優柔不断なリーダーは危機の間に明確な選択ができませんでした。
Her indecisive nature often frustrated her colleagues.
彼女の優柔不断な性質はしばしば同僚をイライラさせました。
indecisive の類義語・関連語
indecisive の語源・成り立ち Etymology
indecisive はラテン語系で、in-「否定」+ decisive「決定的な」から成ります。decide は de-「切り離して」+ caedere「切る」にさかのぼり、incision や precise も同根。選択肢をすっぱり切れないため、「優柔不断な」という意味になりました。
Indecisive is a Latin-based word made from in-, meaning "not," and decisive. The deeper root is in decide, from Latin parts meaning "cut off" or "cut apart," and the same root appears in words like incision and precise. The idea is of not being able to cut between choices clearly, which led to its modern sense.
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