Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| indeciso | /indeˈθiso/ /indeˈsiso/ |
| irresoluto | /iresoˈluto/ |
| vacilante | /baθiˈlante/ /basiˈlante/ |
| inseguro | /inseˈɡuɾo/ |
The adjective indeciso is used to describe someone who is not decisive.
Which one should you use?
While indeciso refers specifically to an inability to make a decision, inseguro is often used to describe a lack of self-confidence that causes the indecision. Furthermore, vacilante describes the physical or verbal act of hesitating or wavering in the moment, whereas indeciso describes a personality trait or a state of mind. Finally, irresoluto is a more formal, literary synonym for indeciso, often used to describe a lack of firmness in character.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective indeciso must agree in gender with the person being described, changing to indecisa for females. It takes the masculine plural form indecisos when describing a group of men or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/indeˈθiso/
Did you know?
- The word vacilar can also be used as a slang verb meaning to tease or to joke with someone, which is far removed from the literal meaning of wavering.
- While indeciso describes a state of mind, the related word decisión is often used in the phrase tomar una decisión which literally means 'to take a decision'.
- The term irresoluto shares a root with the verb resolver, which is used not only for decisions but also for solving mathematical problems or mysteries.
Examples in context
- Tom y Mary son los dos indecisos.Tom and Mary are both indecisive.This sentence is useful for showing how to use indeciso for two people.Tatoeba #1371259 by marcelostockle, translation #1029940 by CK
- Los indecisos aquí no duran mucho.The indecisive don't last long here.This sentence shows how indecisos can be used to refer to a group of indecisive people.Tatoeba #7871066 by Seael, translation #11979275 by Luornu
- Yo antes estaba muy indeciso pero ahora ya no.I used to be very indecisive, but I'm not anymore.This sentence demonstrates how to describe a past state of being using indeciso.Tatoeba #7871060 by Seael, translation #10473113 by DJ_Saidez
- Juan siempre es indeciso a la hora de elegir un restaurante para cenar.Juan is always indecisive when it comes to choosing a restaurant for dinner.
- María suele ser dubitativa al tomar decisiones importantes.María tends to be indecisive when making important decisions.
- ¡No seas tan titubeante! Tienes que elegir entre las opciones que te he dado.Don't be so indecisive! You have to choose between the options I've given you.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are trying to choose a movie at home.
- Elena¿Qué película quieres ver hoy, Javier?What movie do you want to watch today, Javier?
- JavierNo lo sé, estoy muy indeciso.I don't know, I am very indecisive.
- Elena¡No seas tan indeciso, por favor!Don't be so indecisive, please!
- JavierVale, veamos la de acción.Okay, let's watch the action one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “indecisive” translations and entries indeciso, irresoluto, vacilante, inseguro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
