Translation guide
The English idiom "hem and haw" describes hesitating, pausing, or being indecisive in speech. Japanese expresses this through onomatopoeia, verbs for faltering, and phrases for beating around the bush.
To describe someone making sounds like 'uh' or 'um' while thinking or hesitating.
To mumble or falter, often because of embarrassment or uncertainty. Commonly used when someone can't speak clearly.
彼は質問に答えられず、口ごもった。
He hemmed and hawed, unable to answer the question.
Literally 'to say eeto, anou', the Japanese equivalents of 'uh' and 'um'. Use this to describe someone filling pauses with these sounds.
彼は「ええと」「あのう」と言いながら、なかなか本題に入らなかった。
He hemmed and hawed, saying 'uh' and 'um', and didn't get to the point.
To speak evasively or ambiguously; to not give a clear answer. Implies intentional vagueness.
彼女は都合が悪くなると、言葉を濁した。
She hemmed and hawed when things got awkward.
To mumble or mutter indistinctly. Often used when someone is speaking unclearly due to shyness or lack of confidence.
彼はもごもご言って、何を言いたいのかわからなかった。
He hemmed and hawed, and I couldn't tell what he wanted to say.
To describe someone who cannot make up their mind and keeps going back and forth.
To take a wishy-washy attitude; to be indecisive. Literally 'to take an unboiled attitude', implying lack of firmness.
彼は煮え切らない態度を取って、なかなか決断しなかった。
He hemmed and hawed and wouldn't make a decision.
To dawdle, hesitate, or be slow to act. Often used when someone is procrastinating or can't decide.
ぐずぐずしていないで、早く決めてください。
Stop hemming and hawing and make up your mind.
To hesitate or waver. A general verb for indecision, but less vivid than the idiom.
To describe someone who is not getting to the point, often to avoid an uncomfortable topic.
To say something indirectly or in a roundabout way. This is the closest equivalent to 'beat around the bush'.
彼は遠回しに言って、なかなか本音を言わなかった。
He hemmed and hawed and never said what he really thought.
To not say something clearly. A straightforward description of avoiding directness.
彼ははっきり言わずに、ごまかしていた。
He hemmed and hawed and evaded the question.
口ごもる focuses on the physical act of faltering or mumbling, often due to nervousness. 言葉を濁す implies intentional evasion or ambiguity, like giving a non-answer. Use 口ごもる for involuntary hesitation and 言葉を濁す for deliberate vagueness.
緊張して口ごもった。
I got nervous and hemmed and hawed.
都合が悪くて言葉を濁した。
It was awkward so I hemmed and hawed (evaded).
Do not try to literally translate 'hem and haw' as 裾を縫うとかサンザシとか. There is no direct Japanese equivalent for the sounds 'hem' and 'haw'. Use the options above depending on the nuance.
彼はしばらく口ごもっていたが、ついに自分のミスを認めた。
He hemmed and hawed for a while before finally admitting he'd made a mistake.
Using 口ごもる for faltering speech
彼は返事をためらった。
He hemmed and hawed before answering.