hesitava

Hesitava is the imperfect indicative form of the Portuguese verb hesitar, meaning "to hesitate." It expresses an ongoing state of doubt or indecision in the past. The form is used for the first-person singular (eu hesitava) and the third-person singular (ele/ela hesitava). It is formed from the stem hesit- plus the imperfect suffix -ava, and can appear in narrative to convey a prolonged hesitation.

Etymology and sense: Hesitar derives from Latin haesitare, haesitus, linked to haerēre “to stick, cling,” reflecting the idea of being held back. In use, hesitava often sets a scene where a choice or action is being weighed over time, rather than describing a completed hesitation.

Usage notes: In both European and Brazilian Portuguese, hesitava is common in literature and speech. It contrasts with the preterite form hesitei (I hesitated), which marks a completed act, whereas hesitava emphasizes the process or duration of hesitation in the past.

Examples: "Eu hesitava entre aceitar a oferta ou recusar." (I was hesitating between accepting the offer or refusing.) "Ele hesitava antes de responder." (He was hesitating before answering.)

Conjugation and related forms: The imperfect forms include hesitavas, hesitava, hesitávamos, hesitáveis, hesitavam. Related terms include hesitar (infinitive) and hesitação (noun for hesitation). Synonyms commonly used are vacilar and duvidar.