hesitate to speak; mumble timidly
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadjective
hesitant in speech; stammering out of fear or nervousness
literaryA literary term used to describe someone who is too timid, fearful, or nervous to speak clearly or directly.
Tā他
zhàn站
zài在
lǎo老
shī师
miàn面
qián前
，
niè嗫
rú嚅
le了
bàn半
tiān天
，
yě也
méi没
shuō说
qīng清
chu楚
。
He stood in front of the teacher, stammering for a long time but never explained clearly.
Kàn看
zhe着
tā她
yán严
lì厉
de的
yǎn眼
shén神
，
tā他
niè嗫
rú嚅
zhe着
bù不
gǎn敢
chéng承
rèn认
cuò错
wù误
。
Looking at her stern eyes, he stammered and dared not admit his mistake.
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Zài在
zhòng众
rén人
miàn面
qián前
，
tā他
xiǎn显
de得
yǒu有
xiē些
niè嗫
rú嚅
，
shī失
qù去
le了
wǎng往
rì日
de的
zì自
xìn信
。
In front of the crowd, he appeared somewhat hesitant and lost his usual confidence.
Tā他
zhǐ只
shì是
niè嗫
rú嚅
de地
shuō说
le了
shēng声
“
xiè谢
xie谢
”
，
biàn便
cōng匆
cōng匆
lí离
kāi开
le了
。
He just mumbled a timid "thank you" and hurried away.