Translation guide
Expressing confusion, bewilderment, or not understanding something. Japanese offers several common verbs and phrases that range from mild confusion to deep perplexity.
The speaker is confused or doesn't understand a situation, statement, or action.
A very common verb meaning 'to be troubled' or 'to be at a loss'. Often used when you don't know what to do or how to respond.
どうすればいいか困っている。
I'm puzzled about what to do.
彼の返事に困った。
I was puzzled by his reply.
To be bewildered or perplexed, often by an unexpected situation. Slightly more formal than 困る.
突然の質問に戸惑った。
I was puzzled by the sudden question.
彼女はどう答えていいか戸惑っているようだった。
She seemed puzzled about how to answer.
Literally 'the reason is not understood'. A very common colloquial phrase meaning 'I don't get it' or 'it makes no sense'.
彼がなぜ怒っているのかわけがわからない。
I'm puzzled as to why he's angry.
A more formal word for 'to be perplexed' or 'to be embarrassed by confusion'. Often used in writing or formal speech.
彼の不可解な行動に困惑した。
I was puzzled by his inexplicable behavior.
Primarily means 'to be lost' or 'to hesitate', but can imply being puzzled when unable to decide or find one's way.
どの道を行けばいいか迷った。
I was puzzled about which road to take.
The speaker is completely baffled, unable to make sense of something.
Literally 'to tilt one's head'. A common gesture and idiom for being puzzled or skeptical.
彼の説明に首をかしげた。
I was puzzled by his explanation.
To be perplexed or embarrassed by confusion. Similar to 困惑する but often implies a more personal, emotional reaction.
彼女は突然のプロポーズに当惑した。
She was puzzled by the sudden proposal.
The speaker is slightly confused or unsure about something.
A colloquial phrase meaning 'it doesn't click' or 'I don't quite get it'. Used when something doesn't make immediate sense.
彼のジョークはピンとこなかった。
I was puzzled by his joke.
Means 'it doesn't feel right' or 'it doesn't sit well'. Used when something seems off or doesn't make sense intuitively.
彼の説明はどうもしっくりこない。
His explanation leaves me puzzled.
To think of something as questionable; to wonder about something. Can imply being puzzled in a more intellectual sense.
彼の動機を疑問に思った。
I was puzzled by his motives.
困る is the most common and casual, used for everyday troubles. 戸惑う implies a momentary bewilderment, often from an unexpected event. 困惑する is more formal and suggests a deeper, sometimes embarrassing perplexity.
There is no single direct equivalent for 'be puzzled' in Japanese. Using a phrase like パズルされる is incorrect. Choose the expression that best matches the level of confusion and formality.
Literally 'to suffer in understanding'. A strong phrase meaning 'to be at a loss to understand'.
彼の行動は理解に苦しむ。
I'm puzzled by his behavior.