Translation guide
The English word 'dithering' can refer to indecisive hesitation or to a technical process in digital imaging/audio. This guide focuses on the common meaning of being unable to decide, and briefly covers the technical sense.
To describe someone who is wavering, unable to make a decision, or acting nervously indecisive.
The te-iru form of 迷う (to be lost/hesitate). Describes the state of being undecided or wavering between options.
I'm dithering over which clothes to buy.
A verb meaning to dawdle, hesitate, or procrastinate. Implies wasting time through indecision.
Stop dithering and decide already.
A noun or suru-verb meaning hesitation or indecision. Slightly more formal and often used in writing.
An adjective meaning half-hearted, indecisive, or noncommittal. Literally 'not boiled through'. Used for attitudes or responses.
To refer to the digital signal processing technique of adding noise to reduce quantization error.
The direct loanword from English, used in technical contexts for image and audio processing.
There is no single Japanese word that covers both the indecision and technical meanings. Use the appropriate term based on context. For everyday hesitation, 優柔不断 or 迷っている are best.
A noun or na-adjective meaning indecisiveness or being wishy-washy. Commonly used to describe a person's character.
He is indecisive and can't seem to make up his mind.
He dithered before answering.
I was irritated by his dithering attitude.
Dithering has been applied to this image.
Means 'dither processing' and is used in technical documentation.
Dither processing makes color gradations smoother.