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zaghaft

timid

adjective TSAHK-haft Less Common

Also means

hesitant

Usage Note

zaghaft describes timid hesitancy, from an old root zagen (to be fainthearted). A zaghafter Versuch is a tentative attempt. It is gentler than feige (cowardly).

Examples

"Zaghaft klopfte sie an die Tür."

Natural Translation

Timidly she knocked on the door.

Literal Translation

Timid knocked she on the door.

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