举棋不定
jǔ qí bù dìng
to hesitate; to be unable to make up one’s mind
Character by character
举jǔ
raise
raise
棋qí
chess piece
chess piece
不bù
not
not
定dìng
decide
decide
Example
两份工作各有好处，他举棋不定，问了好几个朋友。
Both jobs had their advantages; he could not decide and asked several friends.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
From the Zuo zhuan: a player who lifts a piece and cannot decide where to put it will not beat his opponent.
Learn this in Lesson 39 · HSK 5–6: 麻将桌上 (Mahjong)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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