Bedeutung
To feel reluctant or hesitant to proceed with something.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Japanese companies, 'ni no ashi o fumu' is often seen during the 'Ringi' (consensus-building) process. If one department hesitates, the whole project might stall. Japanese consumers are known for being very cautious. Review sites like Kakaku.com are popular because people want to avoid 'ni no ashi' by being fully informed. In Kendo or Karate, hesitating for a split second (stepping the second foot) can lead to defeat. Instructors warn against this mental state. On platforms like Twitter (X), people often 'ni no ashi o fumu' before posting a controversial opinion for fear of 'enjo' (flaming).
Use it for shopping
This is the most natural way to use it as a beginner. If you see something expensive, say it!
Don't say 'One foot'
Always say 'Ni no ashi' (Second foot). Saying 'Ichi no ashi' makes no sense in Japanese.
Bedeutung
To feel reluctant or hesitant to proceed with something.
Use it for shopping
This is the most natural way to use it as a beginner. If you see something expensive, say it!
Don't say 'One foot'
Always say 'Ni no ashi' (Second foot). Saying 'Ichi no ashi' makes no sense in Japanese.
Combine with 'nandaka'
Saying 'Nandaka ni no ashi o fumu' (I'm somehow hesitating) makes you sound very native and soft.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing particle and verb form.
{高|たか}いパソコンを{買|か}うの（ ）{二|に}の{足|あし}を（ ）。
The particle 'ni' marks the object of hesitation, and 'fumu' is the correct verb.
Which situation is the most natural for this idiom?
Which of these people is '{二|に}の{足|あし}を{踏|ふ}んでいる'?
Hesitating over a major financial commitment is the classic use case.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {留学|りゅう|がく}の{準備|じゅん|び}はできた？ B: うーん、{行|い}きたいけど、やっぱり（ ）。
B is expressing hesitation about going abroad.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
3 Aufgaben{高|たか}いパソコンを{買|か}うの（ ）{二|に}の{足|あし}を（ ）。
The particle 'ni' marks the object of hesitation, and 'fumu' is the correct verb.
Which of these people is '{二|に}の{足|あし}を{踏|ふ}んでいる'?
Hesitating over a major financial commitment is the classic use case.
A: {留学|りゅう|がく}の{準備|じゅん|び}はできた？ B: うーん、{行|い}きたいけど、やっぱり（ ）。
B is expressing hesitation about going abroad.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
3 FragenNo, it's not rude. It's a neutral way to describe a feeling of hesitation.
Yes, but be careful. Saying you hesitate too much might make you look indecisive.
'Mayou' means you are lost or can't choose between options. 'Ni no ashi' means you know what you want to do, but you are afraid to do it.
Verwandte Redewendungen
{躊躇|ちゅう|ちょ}する
synonymTo hesitate
{尻込|しり|ご}みする
similarTo shrink back
{足踏|あし|ぶ}みする
similarTo mark time
{思|おも}い{切|き}る
contrastTo make up one's mind / To do something boldly
