reluctant

Compared meaning: not willing to do something (adjective).

比较义项：不情愿、不愿意做某事（形容词）。

• reluctant 本词

  Describes hesitation or discomfort before acting, often followed by doing it anyway; used before 'to + verb'; the mildest and most everyday of the three.

  描述行动前的犹豫或不自在，往往后来还是做了；用于“to+动词”之前；是三者中语气最温和、最日常的一个。

  He seemed reluctant to leave, lingering by the door for several minutes.

  他似乎不情愿离开，在门口徘徊了好几分钟。

• unwilling

  Describes a stronger, more direct refusal - simply lacking the will to do something, sometimes close to outright refusal; also used before 'to + verb', but blunter than reluctant.

  描述更强烈、更直接的拒绝——单纯缺乏去做某事的意愿，有时近乎断然拒绝；同样用于“to+动词”之前，但语气比reluctant更生硬直接。

  She flatly refused, unwilling to even discuss the matter with him.

  她断然拒绝了，甚至不愿意跟他谈这件事。

• grudging

  Describes something given or done without enthusiasm and with a hint of resentment, especially respect, praise, or an apology; usually modifies a noun ('a grudging apology'), not followed by 'to + verb'.

  描述心不甘情不愿地给予或做出的事情，带有一丝怨气，尤指尊重、称赞或道歉；通常修饰名词（如“a grudging apology”），不接“to+动词”结构。

  Even his rivals had to admit a grudging respect for her talent.

  连他的对手也不得不心不甘情不愿地承认她的才华。

Reluctant, unwilling and grudging all mean not wanting to do something, but the tone differs. Reluctant shows hesitation, though the person usually still does it. Unwilling is stronger and more direct, close to refusing. Grudging describes a noun, like an apology, given without real willingness.

这三个词在“不情愿做某事”这一义项上意思相近，但语气和用法不同：reluctant强调内心的犹豫不安，但常常最终还是去做了；unwilling语气更直接强硬，接近拒绝；grudging通常用来修饰名词，表示虽然做了某事（如道歉、致敬），内心却仍带着怨气。