hesitate 的核心是「不确定性造成的短暂停顿」——不是不想做,而是在起跑线上被某种顾虑卡住了。可以是因为害怕(hesitate to speak up)、礼貌(don't hesitate to call me)或内心冲突(hesitate between two options)。停顿的原因总是「尚未解决的疑虑」。
释义
1
v.犹豫,迟疑(因不确定而停顿)
She hesitated before answering, clearly unsure what to say.
她在回答前犹豫了一下,显然不确定该说什么。
2
v.(在否定句/please公式中)不要犹豫,放心(do sth.)
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
如有任何问题,请随时联系我们,不用客气。
语感
don't hesitate to = 请放心去做,这是礼貌公式
犹豫迟疑踌躇
don't hesitate to do(请随时……,不要犹豫)是英语书信/邮件里的高频礼貌公式,直接翻译字面「不要犹豫」反而失去了原意——它的功能是「消除对方的顾虑,邀请对方主动行动」。写作文结尾段、感谢信、建议信时,这个短语非常实用。另外,hesitate to do(对做某事感到犹豫)后接不定式,不接动名词。
陷阱
⚠️hesitate to do,不是 hesitate doing
✗
She hesitated asking for help, worried about bothering others.
(误)她犹豫着求助,担心打扰别人。
hesitate 后接不定式 to do,不接动名词
✓
She hesitated to ask for help, worried about bothering others.
她犹豫是否要寻求帮助,担心打扰别人。
⚠️don't hesitate to:邀请行动,不是「批评对方的犹豫」
If you ever need advice, don't hesitate to reach out.
✗
说话者在批评对方之前的犹豫
✓
don't hesitate to 是礼貌邀请公式,意思是「请放心联系我,不必担心打扰」
如果你需要建议,请随时联系我,不必客气。
近义辨析
hesitatevswaver
hesitate在起跑线短暂停顿,因顾虑而迟疑waver在决定中来回摇摆,反复不定
She hesitated for a moment before signing the contract.
她在签合同前犹豫了一会儿。
The politician wavered between supporting and opposing the bill.
这位政客在支持和反对该法案之间摇摆不定。
写作加分
✨ 加分词
替换:feel free to
书信写作邀请/建议类段落
普通
Please feel free to contact me if you need anything.
如果您需要任何帮助,请随时联系我。
加分 ✨
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team.
如您有任何进一步的疑问,请随时联系我们的团队,不必客气。
为什么更好:do not hesitate to 比 feel free to 更书面正式,适合正式信函或建议信结尾
常用搭配
don't hesitate to do请随时……,不必客气
hesitate to do犹豫是否要做某事
without hesitation毫不犹豫地
hesitation in doing在做某事上的犹豫
hesitate between在……之间犹豫不决
词根
he-sit-ate → 他坐在那里(没有迈出去)→ 犹豫
考考你
Q1对错判断
判断下面句子里 hesitate 的用法是否正确:
He hesitated accepting the job offer, as the salary was lower than expected.
他犹豫是否接受工作邀请,因为薪资低于预期。
✓ 正确版本
He hesitated to accept the job offer, as the salary was lower than expected.
他犹豫是否接受工作邀请,因为薪资低于预期。
hesitate 后接不定式 to do,不接动名词
Q2语境还原
选择最适合填入空格的词:
We hope you have found this guide helpful. Should you require any further assistance, please do not ___ to contact our support team, who are available 24 hours a day.