timid / tentative
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timid
Describes a person or action that is uncertain, hesitant, and lacking courage. Someone who is 'zaghaft' (timid) often does not dare to act decisively or express their opinion.
Er machte nur einen zaghaften Versuch, seine Meinung zu äußern.
He made only a timid attempt to express his opinion.
If 'zaghaft' (timid) refers to a person or their action, it means 'hesitant'. If it refers to a thing or an abstract development, it means 'weak' or 'barely beginning'.
Sie machte einen zaghaften Vorschlag.
She made a timid suggestion.
When referring to people, 'zaghaft' (timid) often describes uncertain actions. Typical combinations are 'zaghaft fragen' (to ask timidly), 'ein zaghaftes Lächeln' (a timid smile), or 'ein zaghafter Schritt' (a timid step).
Das Kind klopfte zaghaft an die Tür.
The child knocked timidly on the door.
In connection with developments or signals, 'zaghaft' (tentative) describes something that begins weakly or slowly. Common combinations are 'zaghafte Anzeichen' (tentative signs), 'ein zaghafter Aufschwung' (a tentative upswing), or 'zaghafte Hoffnung' (tentative hope).
Es gibt erste zaghafte Anzeichen einer Besserung auf dem Arbeitsmarkt.
There are the first tentative signs of improvement in the labor market.
slow
'langsam' and 'zaghaft' can both describe that something does not happen quickly or strongly. 'langsam' mainly says something about speed: a movement or process takes a lot of time. 'zaghaft' says more about uncertainty, caution, or weakness. A person can speak 'zaghaft' because they do not dare to. A development can begin 'zaghaft' because it is only weakly visible. Learners may confuse the words when an action seems both slow and uncertain. If only the tempo is important, 'langsam' fits better. If uncertainty or a lack of courage is important, 'zaghaft' is more precise.
Karim hebt zaghaft die Hand, weil er seine Antwort nicht sicher weiß.
Karim timidly raises his hand because he is not sure of his answer.
Moritz hat im Kurs heute langsam gearbeitet, weil die Aufgabe schwer war.
Moritz worked slowly in class today because the task was difficult.