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戸惑う (とまどう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N2 Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
godan verb (-u), intransitive verb
be bewildered ; be perplexed ; be at a loss
Describes a state of mental confusion or uncertainty when faced with an unexpected situation, unclear instructions, or conflicting information. Often implies a temporary inability to decide or act.
新あたら しい システム の 使つか い 方かた が わから ず 、 社しゃ 員いん たち は 戸と 惑まど っ て いる 。
The employees are perplexed because they don't understand how to use the new system.
Written forms 戸と 惑まど う Usage 73%
Standard kanji spelling; high priority.
とまどう Usage 26%
途と 惑まど う Usage 1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
Kanji 戸 door, counter for houses, door radical (no. 63) 惑 beguile, delusion, perplexity Similar words 困こん 惑わく する 困惑する is more formal and often implies a deeper, more prolonged state of embarrassment or distress, while 戸惑う is more about momentary confusion or being thrown off balance.
迷まよ う 迷う focuses on indecision between options or losing one's way, whereas 戸惑う emphasizes the emotional reaction of confusion itself.
Etymology Compound of 戸 (to, 'door') and 惑う (madou, 'to be confused'). The image is of being so confused that one cannot even open a door, or of hesitating at a door, unsure whether to enter.
