Translation guide
Expresses indecision or hesitation when choosing between options. Japanese often uses verbs like 迷う (mayou) or 決められない (kimerarenai), and the choice depends on whether the focus is on the mental state of wavering or the inability to decide.
To express that someone is hesitating or cannot decide between two or more choices.
The most common and natural verb for 'to be unable to decide' or 'to hesitate'. It implies a state of wavering. Often used with 〜か or 〜かどうか.
どの色にしようか迷っている。
I can't make up my mind which color to choose.
行くかどうか迷っています。
I'm unable to make up my mind whether to go or not.
Literally 'cannot decide'. This is the potential negative form of 決める (to decide). It emphasizes the inability to reach a decision, often used when a choice must be made.
どちらにするか決められない。
I can't make up my mind which one to choose.
まだ進路が決められない。
I still can't make up my mind about my career path.
Means 'cannot make a resolution' or 'cannot bring oneself to decide'. It implies a deeper, often more serious decision, and suggests a lack of determination.
転職するかどうか、なかなか決心がつかない。
I just can't make up my mind about changing jobs.
Describes a person's character as 'indecisive' or 'wishy-washy'. It is a noun/adjective and is often used to criticize someone's inability to make decisions.
彼は優柔不断で、いつも決めるのに時間がかかる。
He is indecisive and always takes a long time to make up his mind.
When the indecision is specifically between two options (A or B).
Use で to mark the set of options you are wavering between. Very common pattern.
赤と青で迷っています。
I can't make up my mind between red and blue.
うどんとそばで迷った。
I couldn't make up my mind between udon and soba.
Similar to above, but explicitly frames it as a question of 'A or B'. Slightly more emphatic about the choice.
コーヒーか紅茶かで迷っている。
I'm trying to make up my mind between coffee and tea.
When the indecision is about taking an action or not.
Attach to a plain form verb or adjective. Expresses wavering about whether to do something or whether something is the case.
彼に言うかどうか迷っている。
I can't make up my mind whether to tell him.
この服を買うかどうか迷っています。
I'm unable to make up my mind whether to buy these clothes.
Used with embedded questions (what to do, where to go, etc.).
何を食べるか迷う。
I can't make up my mind what to eat.
迷う focuses on the process of wavering or being in a state of indecision. 決められない focuses on the result: being unable to finalize a decision. In many contexts they are interchangeable, but 決められない can sound more frustrated or pressured.
ずっと迷っているけど、なかなか決められない。
I've been wavering for a while, but I just can't decide.
Do not try to translate 'make up one's mind' literally into Japanese. Phrases like 心を作る (kokoro wo tsukuru) are nonsensical. Use the verbs and patterns above.