# 优柔寡断

yōu róu guǎ duàn

Be habitually indecisive

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Be yielding and make few firm decisions

**Traditional Chinese:** 優柔寡斷

**Register:** Critical · general

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Criticize difficulty committing to choices.

Usually a tendency, rather than one reasonable hesitation.

## Understanding the expression

The expression portrays a person whose willingness to consider or yield never turns into a firm decision. It often criticizes repeated delay when a clear commitment is needed. The person may see advantages on every side and fear regret. Thoughtfulness is valuable, but endless reconsideration can burden others or waste opportunities. Compared with hesitation about one particular move, this phrase more readily describes an enduring style of making decisions.

## Examples

他优柔寡断，连菜单都选半天。

### Traditional Chinese

他優柔寡斷，連菜單都選半天。

tā yōu róu guǎ duàn ， lián cài dān dōu xuǎn bàn tiān 。

He is indecisive even when choosing from a menu.

经理优柔寡断，团队无法推进。

### Traditional Chinese

經理優柔寡斷，團隊無法推進。

jīng lǐ yōu róu guǎ duàn ， tuán duì wú fǎ tuī jìn 。

The manager's indecision prevents progress.

她努力改变优柔寡断的习惯。

### Traditional Chinese

她努力改變優柔寡斷的習慣。

tā nǔ lì gǎi biàn yōu róu guǎ duàn de xí guàn 。

She is trying to overcome her indecisive habit.

这次谨慎不是优柔寡断，而是信息不足。

### Traditional Chinese

這次謹慎不是優柔寡斷，而是信息不足。

zhè cì jǐn shèn bú shì yōu róu guǎ duàn ， ér shì xìn xī bù zú 。

Her caution reflects missing information, not indecisiveness.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%84%AA%E6%9F%94%E5%AF%A1%E6%96%B7)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=495&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [犹豫不决 yóu yù bù jué Hesitate without making a decision ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/you-yu-bu-jue)

- [欲擒故纵 yù qín gù zòng Loosen control to gain a later advantage ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yu-qin-gu-zong)

- [缘木求鱼 yuán mù qiú yú Use a method that cannot achieve the goal ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yuan-mu-qiu-yu)

- [运筹帷幄 yùn chóu wéi wò Plan strategy with skill and foresight ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yun-chou-wei-wo)

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