cautious

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 慎 has 13 strokes, the on-reading しん, and the kun-reading つつしむ. 慎重 (しんちょう) describes being careful; 慎む (つつしむ) describes refraining.
• Basic usage: 慎重 concerns checking or deciding carefully; 慎む concerns restraining one's speech or actions.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Checking carefully and refraining from an action
  • 慎重に内容を確認した means checked a document's contents carefully. 慎重な性格 describes a cautious personality that considers things before deciding.
  • 私語を慎んでください asks people to refrain from private conversations during a ceremony. しばらく酒を慎む means to abstain from alcohol for a while.