adjectiveadverb

zögerlich

hesitant

Definition & meaning

The word "zögerlich" is an adjective used to describe someone or something that acts with hesitation, reluctance, or delay. It implies a lack of decisiveness or a cautious approach, often due to doubt, shyness, or lack of conviction.

It can be applied in various contexts:

Behavioral: Describing a person who is hesitant to make a decision or take action (e.g., "He was hesitant to answer the question").
Process-related: Describing a slow or faltering process (e.g., "The economic recovery was sluggish").
Emotional: Describing a lack of confidence or social timidity.

Grammar & Word origin

"Zögerlich" is an adjective formed from the verb "zögern" (to hesitate, to delay).

Zöger-: The root derived from the verb "zögern".
-lich: A common German suffix used to form adjectives, often indicating a quality or a tendency (similar to the English "-ly" or "-ish").

It is a regular adjective and follows standard declension patterns when used before a noun (e.g., ein zögerlicher Schritt).