zögernd
hesitant
Not acting decisively or acting only slowly because one is unsure or has reservations.
EXAMPLE
Sie gab ihm eine zögernde Antwort.
She gave him a hesitant answer.
zögernd
hesitant
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry zögernd, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | zögernd |
|---|
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to zögernd.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to zögernd.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to zögernd.
Usage tips
Word family and usage
'Zögernd' (hesitant) is the present participle of the verb 'zögern' (to hesitate). It can be used with another verb to describe how someone acts; common combinations include 'zögernd antworten' (to answer hesitantly), 'zögernd nicken' (to nod hesitantly), and 'zögernd zustimmen' (to agree hesitantly).
EXAMPLE
Als ich ihn um Hilfe bat, stimmte er zögernd zu.
When I asked him for help, he agreed hesitantly.
Visible behavior
Typical combinations include 'ein zögerndes Lächeln' (a hesitant smile), 'eine zögernde Antwort' (a hesitant answer), and 'zögernde Schritte' (hesitant steps). This allows you to express uncertainty through visible or audible behavior without directly naming the person's feelings.
EXAMPLE
Mit einem zögernden Lächeln reichte sie dem Gast die Hand.
With a hesitant smile, she held out her hand to the guest.
Only hesitantly
The common combination 'nur zögernd' (only hesitantly) emphasizes that someone finds it difficult to decide to take action. It can also be used for groups or organizations reacting to a situation.
EXAMPLE
Das Unternehmen reagierte nur zögernd auf die Beschwerden seiner Kunden.
The company reacted only hesitantly to its customers' complaints.
In real life
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