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Hesitant
متردد (mutaraddid) means 'hesitant,' 'uncertain,' or 'indecisive.' It describes a state of doubt or wavering when facing a decision, and can be used as an adjective to describe a person's emotional or mental state. The word conveys an element of being torn between options or lacking confidence in one's choice.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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أنا متردد بين اختيار الوظيفتين.
Ana mutaraddid bayna ikhtiyar al-wazifatayn.
I am hesitant between choosing the two jobs.
بدا متردداً عندما سألوه عن رأيه.
Bada mutaraddidan 'indama sa'aluh 'an ra'yih.
He appeared hesitant when they asked for his opinion.
لا تكن متردداً في اتخاذ القرار الصحيح.
La takun mutaraddidan fi ittikhadh al-qarar al-sahih.
Don't be hesitant in making the right decision.
كانت متردة حول الانتقال إلى مدينة جديدة.
Kanat mutarradda hawla al-intiqal ila madina jadida.
She was hesitant about moving to a new city.
يبدو متردداً في كلامه ولا يبدو واثقاً من نفسه.
Yabdu mutaraddidan fi klamih wa la yabdu wathiqan min nafsih.
He seems hesitant in his speech and doesn't appear confident.
In Arabic-speaking cultures, displaying hesitation (تردد) in decision-making is often viewed as a sign of careful consideration and wisdom, particularly in important matters concerning family, business, or commitments. However, excessive hesitation can be seen as a weakness in leadership contexts. The word is commonly used in everyday conversations when discussing personal dilemmas or seeking advice from others.
Remember that متردد is typically used as an adjective describing a person's state, often preceded by the verb 'to be' (كان or يبدو). When describing a feminine subject, the form changes to متردة (mutarradda). Use it with 'about' (حول) or 'between' (بين) to specify what the hesitation concerns. Avoid confusing it with تردد (tardud), which can mean 'frequency' or 'oscillation' in technical contexts.
The Arabic word متردد (mutaraddid) is an adjective meaning 'hesitant,' 'uncertain,' 'indecisive,' or 'wavering.' It describes a psychological or emotional state characterized by doubt, uncertainty, or inability to make a firm decision. The root of this word comes from ت-ر-د (t-r-d), which relates to oscillation, movement back and forth, or wavering between options.
As an adjective, متردد changes according to gender and number in Arabic:
The word is commonly used with the verb 'to be' (كان or يبدو) to express a state of hesitation. For example: "أنا متردد" (I am hesitant) or "يبدو متردداً" (He seems hesitant).
In Personal Decisions: متردد is frequently used when describing hesitation about major life decisions such as career choices, relocation, marriage, or financial investments. It conveys a sense of being torn between different options.
In Daily Conversations: Arabs use this word to describe momentary uncertainty or reluctance, such as hesitation to agree with someone's opinion or reluctance to commit to a plan.
In Formal Writing: The word appears in news articles, academic texts, and business communications to describe indecisive policies, unclear statements, or uncertain positions.
The noun form تردد (tardud) refers to the act of hesitation or oscillation itself. However, in scientific contexts, تردد can mean 'frequency' (as in radio frequency). The phrase بدون تردد (bidun tardud) means 'without hesitation' and is often used to express certainty and confidence.
In Arab culture, showing some level of hesitation when facing significant decisions is often regarded as a sign of thoughtfulness and prudence, particularly in family and business matters. However, persistent hesitation may be perceived negatively, especially in leadership roles where decisiveness is valued. The concept of consulting with family and community before making decisions is deeply rooted, which explains why hesitation before commitment is sometimes seen as a virtue—it shows respect for collective wisdom.
The opposite of متردد would be واثق (confident), حاسم (decisive), or مصمم (determined). These words represent strong conviction and certainty, traits highly valued in business and leadership contexts.
When using متردد, always pair it with a preposition like حول (about) or بين (between) to specify what the hesitation concerns. Remember that this is an adjective describing a state, not an action, so it works best with linking verbs. Pay attention to gender agreement when the subject changes, as this is crucial in Arabic grammar. Also, be aware that showing hesitation in certain professional contexts might be interpreted as weakness, so context matters when using this word.
Other ways to express hesitation in Arabic include:
Each of these carries slightly different nuances but all convey a lack of certainty or decisiveness similar to متردد.