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B1 noun #8,000 le plus courant 7 min de lecture

狼狽

roubai Top 8,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 狼狽 en 30 secondes

Explication 狼狽 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '狼狽' (rōbai) is too difficult for daily conversation. You should focus on simple words like 'びっくりする' (to be surprised) or 'こまる' (to be in trouble). Think of 狼狽 as the 'Final Boss' of being surprised. You won't need to use it yet, but you might see the kanji for 'wolf' (狼) in stories. For now, just remember that in Japanese, there are very strong words for when someone is really, really confused and scared at the same time.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to learn about 'suru' verbs. 狼狽 (rōbai) is a formal way to say someone is 'panicked.' While you would usually say 'あわてる' (awateru) in your daily life, you might see 狼狽 in manga or simple news clips. It is a noun that means 'dismay.' If a character sees something impossible, they might 'rōbai' (panic). It's good to recognize it so you don't confuse it with 'rushing' to catch a train.

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As a B1 learner, you should begin to distinguish between different types of 'confusion.' 狼狽 (rōbai) is a key word for intermediate reading. It describes a sudden loss of composure. Unlike '慌てる' (which can just mean being in a hurry), 狼狽 implies that you are shocked and don't know what to do. You will see this in novels and news. Common phrases include '狼狽する' (to be dismayed) and '狼狽を隠せない' (cannot hide one's dismay). It's a great word to use in writing to describe a character's intense reaction.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 狼狽 (rōbai) in formal contexts or essays. You should understand specific collocations like '狼狽売り' (panic selling in the stock market). You should also know that 狼狽 is more literary than 'うろたえる.' When writing, use 狼狽 to show a character's psychological state when their secrets are exposed or when they face a major disaster. It shows a higher level of vocabulary than simply using 'パニック' (panic).

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At the C1 level, you should appreciate the etymological roots of 狼狽—the legend of the two wolves that can only walk by supporting each other. This depth helps you understand why the word implies a total loss of 'support' or 'foundation.' You should be comfortable identifying the nuance between 狼狽, 周狽, and 動揺. In C1 level literature, 狼狽 is used to critique the fragility of human reason. You should be able to use it effortlessly in a debate or a high-level business report to describe organizational chaos.

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For C2 learners, 狼狽 (rōbai) is a tool for precise psychological description. You can analyze its use in Meiji-era literature versus modern journalism. You should understand its nuances in legal settings—how a witness's '狼狽' might affect their credibility. You should also be aware of rare or archaic variations and how the term has evolved from its Chinese roots into a uniquely Japanese descriptor of the 'flustered' state. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's weight and its ability to convey a loss of social face.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

狼狽 en 30 secondes

狼狽 (rōbai) means sudden dismay or panic caused by a shock.
It is a formal word often used in literature and news.
It comes from the legend of two wolves that can't walk alone.
Commonly used as a 'suru' verb to describe losing one's cool.

The Japanese word 狼狽 (ろうばい - rōbai) is a sophisticated noun and suru-verb that captures a specific type of psychological state: a sudden, overwhelming sense of dismay, confusion, or panic. While English often uses 'panic' or 'confusion' broadly, 狼狽 specifically suggests a loss of composure when faced with an unexpected and distressing situation. It is not just being busy or rushed (like 慌てる); it is the internal collapse of one's presence of mind. In formal writing, news reports, and literature, this word describes characters who have been 'caught off guard' to the point where they no longer know how to act or speak rationally. It implies a visible or internal flustering that stems from a deep-seated fear or shock. When you use 狼狽, you are describing a moment where someone's 'cool' has completely evaporated.

Grammatical Function: It is primarily used as a noun or combined with 'suru' to form a verb (狼狽する). It can also modify other nouns as '狼狽した様子' (a dismayed appearance).
Nuance of 'Suddenness': The term emphasizes the 'sudden' nature of the loss of courage. It is the moment the ground falls out from under your plans.
Social Context: Often used in business or legal contexts to describe a witness or a CEO losing their cool during a difficult interrogation or a stock market crash.

予期せぬ質問に、彼は一瞬狼狽した様子を見せた。
Translation: At the unexpected question, he showed a momentary look of dismay.

The imagery behind the kanji is fascinating. Both characters 狼 (wolf) and 狽 (a mythical wolf) refer to creatures that, according to legend, must walk together because one has long front legs and the other has short ones. If they become separated, they stumble and cannot move, falling into a state of total confusion and panic. This vivid metaphor perfectly illustrates the feeling of being unable to function when things go wrong.

証拠を突きつけられ、犯人は激しく狼狽した。
Translation: Confronted with the evidence, the culprit was violently shaken.

Using 狼狽 (ろうばい) correctly requires understanding its collocations. It is most frequently used with the verb 'suru' (to do), but it also appears in patterns like '狼狽を隠せない' (cannot hide one's dismay) or '狼狽の色を見せる' (to show a look of dismay). Because it is a formal word, it is rarely used in casual spoken Japanese between friends unless one is being intentionally dramatic or humorous. Instead, you will find it in literature where an author wants to describe a character's internal psychological collapse or in news reports describing the reaction of the public or markets to a disaster.

Pattern: 狼狽する: Standard verb form. Example: '突然の解雇通告に狼狽する' (To be dismayed by a sudden notice of dismissal).
Pattern: 狼狽を隠せない: Literally 'cannot hide dismay.' Used when someone tries to stay calm but fails. Example: '彼は狼狽を隠せなかった' (He couldn't hide his confusion).
Pattern: 狼狽の色: The 'color' of dismay, meaning the visible signs of panic on one's face.

市場の急落に投資家たちは狼狽売りに走った。
Translation: Investors rushed into panic selling due to the sharp market drop.

In the financial world, the term '狼狽売り' (rōbai-uri) is a common technical term for 'panic selling.' This occurs when investors see prices dropping and, losing their courage and logic, sell their assets at a loss just to escape the situation. This usage highlights the 'loss of reason' aspect of the word. When you are 'rōbai,' you aren't thinking clearly; you are reacting out of pure, unadulterated shock.

不意を突かれて、彼女の顔に狼狽の色が浮かんだ。
Translation: Being caught off guard, a look of dismay appeared on her face.

You are most likely to encounter 狼狽 in media that involves high-stakes drama, investigative journalism, or historical literature. In a detective anime or novel (like Case Closed or Sherlock Holmes translations), when the culprit is finally cornered by the detective's flawless logic, the description of their reaction will almost certainly involve 狼狽. It perfectly describes that moment of 'the game is up' panic. Similarly, in political commentary, a spokesperson might be described as '狼狽している' (being flustered) when they are unable to answer a reporter's piercing question about a scandal.

In business news, you will hear it during economic crises. Phrases like '市場は狼狽に包まれた' (The market was shrouded in dismay) are common when an unexpected global event occurs. It conveys a sense of collective loss of control. In historical dramas (Jidaigeki), a lord might become '狼狽' when he hears his castle is being surrounded, indicating that despite his high status, he has lost his composure.

ニュースキャスター：「突然の辞任発表に、与党内には狼狽が広がっています。」
Translation: News Anchor: "Dismay is spreading within the ruling party following the sudden resignation announcement."

Another place you will find this word is in psychological thrillers or horror stories. It describes the specific terror of not knowing what to do next. If a character is lost in a haunted forest and their flashlight dies, their state of mind is one of 狼狽. It is deeper than fear; it is the confusion that comes from fear. This word is a favorite of authors like Natsume Soseki or Akutagawa Ryunosuke to describe the fragile nature of the human ego when faced with the unexpected.

「そんなはずはない！」と彼は狼狽しながら叫んだ。
Translation: "That can't be!" he shouted while in a state of dismay.

The most common mistake English speakers make is using 狼狽 (rōbai) for minor, everyday situations. Because English words like 'confused' or 'flustered' can be used for small things (like forgetting your keys), learners often try to use 狼狽 in the same way. However, 狼狽 is 'heavy.' Using it for small mistakes makes you sound like a character in a Shakespearean play. For everyday 'oops' moments, use 慌てる (awateru) or 困る (komaru).

Mistake: Using it for 'Hurry': If you are late for a meeting, you are '慌てている' (rushing). If you are '狼狽している,' it means the meeting revealed you embezzled money and you've lost your mind. Don't mix them up!
Mistake: Confusing with 驚く (Surprise): 惊く (odoroku) is a neutral surprise. A surprise party makes you 驚く. A surprise tax audit makes you 狼狽.
Mistake: Misreading the Kanji: The first kanji 狼 (wolf) is often confused with 娘 (daughter) or 朗 (bright) by beginners. Remember the 'animal' radical on the left (犭).

Another error is the grammatical placement. Since it is a noun, you cannot say '狼狽だ' (It is dismay) to mean 'I am dismayed.' You must use the verb form '狼狽する' or the expression '狼狽に陥る' (to fall into dismay). Many learners also forget that this is a 'suru' verb and try to use it with 'ni naru,' which is incorrect in standard Japanese.

Japanese has many words for 'confusion' and 'panic,' each with a specific flavor. Understanding the difference between 狼狽 and its synonyms will help you reach a B2/C1 level of fluency. The primary alternatives are 慌てる, 動揺, and 混乱. Let's break down how they differ in intensity and context.

慌てる (Awateru): Physical and mental rushing. Used for daily life (e.g., 'I panicked because I lost my phone'). It focuses on the action of rushing.
動揺 (Dōyō): Literally 'shaking.' It refers to emotional agitation. You can be 'dōyō' (shaken) by a sad movie or a breakup without being 'rōbai' (panicked/dismayed).
混乱 (Konran): General confusion. Used for traffic, thoughts, or systems. It is more objective than the highly emotional 狼狽.
うろたえる (Urotaeru): A more native Japanese (kun-yomi) equivalent of 狼狽. It sounds a bit more descriptive of the physical act of staggering around in confusion.

When choosing between these, consider the 'weight' of the situation. If a character is described as 狼狽している, the reader expects a significant plot twist or a major failure. If they are just 慌てている, they might just be a clumsy person. 狼狽 implies that the character's internal world has been temporarily shattered by external reality.

彼は動揺を抑えようとしたが、次第に狼狽へと変わっていった。
Translation: He tried to suppress his agitation (dōyō), but it gradually turned into full-blown dismay (rōbai).

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

If these two mythical wolves were separated, they would stumble and fall, becoming unable to move. This state of falling over and being unable to act is what led to the meaning of 'dismay' or 'panic'.

Guide de prononciation

UK roʊbaɪ

US roʊbaɪ

Japanese pitch accent: Atamadaka (High on the first syllable: RO-u-ba-i).

Rime avec

こうばい (kōbai - slope) しょうばい (shōbai - business) とうばい (tōbai - equal price) こうかい (kōkai - regret) そうざい (sōzai - side dish) ほうだい (hōdai - as much as you want) ちょうだい (chōdai - please give me) きょうだい (kyōdai - siblings)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'bai' as 'bay'. It should be 'buy'.
Mixing up the pitch with 'roubai' (old age), which has a different pitch pattern.
Stressing the 'u' too much; 'rou' is a long vowel.
Confusing the reading with 'rōmō' (senility).
Shortening the 'o' sound.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 4/5

The kanji are complex and not commonly used in daily life.

Écriture 5/5

Writing the kanji for 'wolf' and 'mythical wolf' from memory is challenging.

Expression orale 3/5

Pronunciation is simple, but choosing the right context is hard.

Écoute 3/5

Distinct sound, but can be confused with other 'rō' words.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

狼 (wolf) 驚く (surprise) 慌てる (panic/rush) 混乱 (confusion) 隠す (hide)

Apprends ensuite

動揺 (agitation) 困惑 (bewilderment) 愕然 (astonishment) 戦慄 (shuddering) 焦燥 (impatience)

Avancé

泰然自若 (calm and collected) 支離滅裂 (incoherent) 暗中模索 (groping in the dark) 紆余曲折 (twists and turns)

Grammaire à connaître

Suru-verbs with psychological states

彼はその知らせに狼狽した。

Noun + 'no amari' (excessive state)

狼狽のあまり、道に迷った。

Potential negative 'kakusenai' (cannot hide)

狼狽を隠せなかった。

Te-form for cause/reason

予期せぬ質問に狼狽してしまった。

Noun modification with 'shita'

狼狽した顔。

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Exemples par niveau

彼はとても狼狽しました。

He was very dismayed.

Simple 'desu' form with a noun.

狼狽しないでください。

Please do not be dismayed.

Negative 'te-form' with 'kudasai'.

そのニュースに狼狽した。

I was dismayed by that news.

Past tense verb form.

狼狽はよくないです。

Dismay is not good.

Noun as a subject.

テストで狼狽する。

To be dismayed by a test.

Present tense verb.

母は狼狽しています。

My mother is dismayed.

Te-iru form (current state).

狼狽の顔。

A face of dismay.

Noun modifying another noun with 'no'.

みんな狼狽した。

Everyone was dismayed.

Simple past tense.

突然の雨に狼狽する。

To be flustered by sudden rain.

Particle 'ni' indicates the cause.

彼は狼狽して逃げた。

He was dismayed and ran away.

Te-form used to connect actions.

彼女は狼狽を隠した。

She hid her dismay.

Direct object with 'o'.

狼狽する必要はない。

There is no need to be dismayed.

Verb + 'hitsuyou wa nai' (no need to).

計画が壊れて狼狽した。

The plan failed and I was dismayed.

Cause and effect with te-form.

狼狽した声で話す。

To speak with a dismayed voice.

Modifying 'koe' (voice).

先生は少し狼狽した。

The teacher was a bit dismayed.

Adverb 'sukoshi' (a little).

狼狽のあまり、転んだ。

I was so dismayed that I fell.

'No amari' (so much that...).

嘘がばれて、彼はひどく狼狽した。

His lie was exposed, and he was terribly dismayed.

Passive voice 'barete' (to be exposed).

狼狽を隠しきれず、手が震えている。

Unable to hide his dismay, his hands are shaking.

Verb stem + 'kirezu' (unable to completely do).

予期せぬ事態に、チーム全体が狼狽に陥った。

The entire team fell into dismay at the unexpected situation.

Idiom '狼狽に陥る' (to fall into dismay).

彼は狼狽の色を見せまいと努力した。

He tried hard not to show a look of dismay.

Volitional negative 'mai' (intending not to).

市場の混乱は投資家を狼狽させた。

The market chaos caused investors to be dismayed.

Causative form 'saseta'.

狼狽するあまり、判断を誤った。

I was so dismayed that I made a mistake in judgment.

Noun + 'amari' indicating excessive state.

彼の狼狽ぶりは誰の目にも明らかだった。

His state of dismay was obvious to everyone.

Suffix '-buri' (the manner/way of).

そんなに狼狽することはないよ。

There's no reason to be that dismayed.

Verb + 'koto wa nai' (no need/reason to).

未曾有の災害に、政府は狼狽を隠せなかった。

The government could not hide its dismay at the unprecedented disaster.

Formal noun 'mizou' (unprecedented).

突然の解雇通知に、彼は狼狽の色を隠せなかった。

He couldn't hide the look of dismay at the sudden layoff notice.

Set phrase '狼狽の色を隠せない'.

狼狽売りに走る投資家を横目に、彼は冷静だった。

He remained calm, ignoring the investors rushing into panic selling.

Compound noun '狼狽売り'.

あまりのショックに、一瞬狼狽して言葉を失った。

I was so shocked that I was momentarily dismayed and lost for words.

Te-form connecting psychological states.

狼狽の極みに達した彼は、支離滅裂なことを言い始めた。

Having reached the height of dismay, he began to say incoherent things.

'...no kiwami' (the height/extremity of).

その質問は、彼の狼狽を誘うための罠だった。

That question was a trap designed to induce his dismay.

Verb 'sasou' (to invite/induce).

彼は狼狽しながらも、なんとか説明を続けた。

Though dismayed, he managed to continue his explanation.

Conjunctive 'nagara mo' (even while...).

彼女の狼狽した様子から、事の重大さが伝わってきた。

The seriousness of the matter was conveyed by her dismayed appearance.

Particle 'kara' indicating the source of information.

不祥事が発覚し、経営陣は狼狽の体であった。

A scandal came to light, and the management was in a state of total dismay.

'...no tei' (appearing to be/in the state of).

強気な姿勢とは裏腹に、内心は狼狽しきっていた。

Contrary to his confident attitude, he was completely dismayed inside.

'...to wa urahara ni' (contrary to).

彼の狼狽は、自らの過失を認めたも同然であった。

His dismay was as good as admitting his own negligence.

'...mo douzen' (equivalent to).

狼狽のあまり、彼は身の振り方を誤ってしまった。

In his extreme dismay, he made a mistake in how he conducted himself.

Idiom 'mi no furikata' (one's conduct/future path).

国家の存亡をかけた局面で、リーダーが狼狽することは許されない。

At a juncture where the nation's existence is at stake, a leader's dismay is unacceptable.

Passive potential 'yurusarenai' (cannot be permitted).

群衆の狼狽を鎮めるために、彼は壇上に上がった。

He stepped onto the platform to calm the dismay of the crowd.

Verb 'shizumeru' (to calm/soothe).

狼狽の影が彼の端正な顔立ちを歪めた。

A shadow of dismay distorted his handsome features.

Literary personification of 'kage' (shadow).

事態は狼狽を通り越して、絶望へと変わっていた。

The situation had moved past dismay and turned into despair.

'...o toorikoshite' (going past/beyond).

その論理的矛盾を指摘された瞬間、彼の泰然自若とした態度は霧散し、狼狽が露呈した。

The moment that logical contradiction was pointed out, his calm and collected demeanor vanished, and his dismay was exposed.

Four-character idiom '泰然自若' (taizen-jijaku).

作家は、主人公の狼狽を通じて、近代人の自我の脆弱さを描き出した。

Through the protagonist's dismay, the author depicted the fragility of the modern ego.

Formal 'egakidashita' (sketched out/depicted).

狼狽の極致にある人間は、往々にして自己破壊的な行動に走るものである。

Humans in the extremity of dismay often resort to self-destructive behavior.

Adverb 'ouou ni shite' (often/frequently).

官僚たちの狼狽ぶりは、現行システムの制度的疲労を如実に物語っていた。

The dismay of the bureaucrats clearly told the story of the institutional fatigue of the current system.

Adverb 'nyojitsu ni' (vividly/clearly).

情報の非対称性が生む狼狽は、市場のボラティリティを増幅させる。

The dismay generated by information asymmetry amplifies market volatility.

Economic terminology.

彼は狼狽を糊塗しようと、饒舌に語り始めたが、それがかえって不自然だった。

He began to speak volubly to gloss over his dismay, but that only made it more unnatural.

Verb 'koto suru' (to gloss over/patch up).

狼狽という感情の裏側には、常に予期の裏切りが存在する。

Behind the emotion of dismay, there always exists a betrayal of expectations.

Philosophical structure.

その沈黙は、単なる熟考ではなく、深淵な狼狽の現れであった。

That silence was not mere contemplation, but a manifestation of profound dismay.

Adjective 'shinnen-na' (profound/abyssal).

Collocations courantes

狼狽を隠せない

激しく狼狽する

狼狽の色

狼狽売り

一瞬狼狽する

狼狽を誘う

狼狽に陥る

狼狽を見せる

内心狼狽する

狼狽のあまり

Phrases Courantes

狼狽の極み

— The ultimate state of dismay. Used when someone is completely and utterly panicked.

彼は狼狽の極みに達していた。

狼狽を招く

— To cause or bring about dismay. Usually used for events that trigger panic.

不適切な発言が狼狽を招いた。

狼狽しきった様子

— A state of being completely and utterly dismayed. Emphasizes the totality of the feeling.

彼は狼狽しきった様子で座り込んだ。

狼狽の色を隠しきれない

— To be completely unable to hide one's panic. A stronger version of 'cannot hide'.

彼女は狼狽の色を隠しきれなかった。

狼狽を禁じ得ない

— Cannot help but feel dismayed. A very formal, literary expression.

その惨状に狼狽を禁じ得なかった。

狼狽を鎮める

— To calm down the panic or dismay of oneself or others.

深呼吸をして狼狽を鎮めた。

狼狽を装う

— To pretend to be dismayed. Used when someone is acting for strategic reasons.

彼はわざと狼狽を装った。

狼狽を突く

— To exploit someone's dismay. Often used in sports or debate.

相手の狼狽を突いて攻撃する。

狼狽を免れない

— Cannot avoid being dismayed. Used for inevitable reactions to bad news.

この結果には狼狽を免れないだろう。

狼狽の兆し

— Signs or hints of dismay starting to appear.

彼の態度に狼狽の兆しが見えた。

Souvent confondu avec

狼狽 vs 老獪 (rōkai)

Sounds similar but means 'crafty' or 'wily'. Don't confuse a panicked person with a crafty one!

狼狽 vs 老衰 (rōsui)

Sounds similar but means 'senility' or 'debility due to old age'.

狼狽 vs 狼藉 (rōzeki)

Starts with the same 'wolf' kanji but means 'disorder' or 'violence'.

Expressions idiomatiques

"狼狽の色を隠せない"

— One's panic is visible to everyone around them despite trying to act normal.

嘘を指摘され、彼は狼狽の色を隠せなかった。

Formal

"狼狽売り"

— Selling stocks or assets in a panic when prices drop suddenly.

初心者は狼狽売りで損をすることが多い。

Financial

"狼狽の極み"

— The highest level of confusion and panic possible in a situation.

迷子になった彼は狼狽の極みにあった。

Literary

"狼狽を誘う"

— To intentionally make someone lose their cool or become flustered.

検察官は鋭い質問で証人の狼狽を誘った。

Legal/Formal

"内心、狼狽する"

— To be panicking on the inside while looking calm on the outside.

彼は平静を装っていたが、内心は狼狽していた。

Psychological

"狼狽に陥る"

— To fall into a state of total confusion and panic.

突然の発表に会場は狼狽に陥った。

General

"狼狽を禁じ得ない"

— To be unable to suppress a feeling of profound dismay.

そのニュースを聞いて狼狽を禁じ得なかった。

Very Formal

"狼狽を鎮める"

— To bring a state of panic back under control.

彼は必死に心の狼狽を鎮めようとした。

General

"狼狽ぶり"

— The particular manner or extent to which someone is panicking.

彼の狼狽ぶりは見ていて痛々しかった。

Descriptive

"狼狽の色を見せる"

— To show visible signs of being flustered or dismayed.

彼女は一瞬だけ狼狽の色を見せた。

Formal

Facile à confondre

狼狽 vs 慌てる (awateru)

Both mean 'panic' in some sense.

Awateru is physical rushing or minor daily panic. Rōbai is deep psychological dismay and loss of composure.

遅刻して慌てる (Awateru) vs. 倒産して狼狽する (Rōbai).

狼狽 vs 動揺 (dōyō)

Both describe emotional agitation.

Dōyō is 'being shaken' emotionally. Rōbai is more about being 'flustered and confused' in action.

訃報に動揺する (Dōyō) vs. 嘘がバレて狼狽する (Rōbai).

狼狽 vs 困惑 (konwaku)

Both involve confusion.

Konwaku is 'bewilderment' or being puzzled. Rōbai is more intense and involves panic.

難しい問題に困惑する (Konwaku) vs. 暴動に狼狽する (Rōbai).

狼狽 vs 驚愕 (kyōgaku)

Both involve shock.

Kyōgaku is pure 'astonishment.' Rōbai is the 'panic' that follows the shock.

新事実に驚愕する (Kyōgaku) vs. その後、狼狽して逃げる (Rōbai).

狼狽 vs 狼狽える (urotaeru)

They are the same concept.

Urotaeru is the native Japanese verb form (kun-yomi). Rōbai is the formal Sino-Japanese noun/verb (on-yomi).

うろたえるな！ (Don't panic!) vs. 狼狽の極み (The height of dismay).

Structures de phrases

～に狼狽する

突然のことに狼狽する。

狼狽を隠せない

彼は狼狽を隠せなかった。

狼狽の色を見せる

彼女は狼狽の色を見せた。

狼狽のあまり～

狼狽のあまり、ミスをした。

狼狽の極み

それは狼狽の極みだった。

狼狽に陥る

組織全体が狼狽に陥る。

狼狽を糊塗する

彼は狼狽を糊塗しようとした。

狼狽を禁じ得ない

国民は狼狽を禁じ得ない。

Famille de mots

Noms

狼狽 (dismay)

狼狽者 (a person who panics easily - rare)

Verbes

狼狽する (to be dismayed)

狼狽える (urotaeru - native Japanese reading/verb)

Adjectifs

狼狽した (dismayed/flustered)

Apparenté

狼 (wolf)

狽 (mythical wolf)

動揺 (agitation)

慌てる (panic)

混乱 (confusion)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in written media and formal news; rare in casual spoken conversation.

Erreurs courantes

Using '狼狽だ' (rōbai da). → 狼狽している (rōbai shiteiru).
狼狽 is a noun that acts as a verb with 'suru'. You should use the verb form to describe a state.
Confusing 狼狽 with 驚く (odoroku). → Surprise vs. Panic.
驚く is just being surprised. 狼狽 is being so surprised you lose your mind and act crazy.
Using 狼狽 for 'being in a hurry'. → 慌てる (awateru).
If you're running for a bus, you're 'awateru'. If your house is on fire and you're frozen in fear, you're 'rōbai'.
Misreading 狼 as 娘 (daughter). → 狼 (wolf) vs. 娘 (daughter).
The radicals are different (animal vs. woman). Pay close attention to the left side.
Using it in casual slang. → パニクる (panikuru).
狼狽 is quite formal. In casual speech with friends, use 'panikuru' or 'awateru'.

Astuces

Use in Writing

When writing a story, use 狼狽 to show that a character has reached their breaking point and can no longer think clearly.

Remember the Wolves

Visualizing the two wolves falling over each other will help you remember that 狼狽 means a loss of stability and composure.

Common Collocation

Memorize the phrase '狼狽を隠せない' (cannot hide dismay). It's the most common way this word appears in intermediate and advanced texts.

Weight of the Word

Only use 狼狽 for serious shocks. Using it for small things can make you sound sarcastic or melodramatic.

Kanji Recognition

Look for the 'animal' radical (犭) on the left side of both characters. This is a big hint that the word is 狼狽.

Formal Situations

In a formal apology or business explanation, '狼狽いたしました' sounds much more sincere and professional than saying you 'panicked'.

News Vocabulary

News anchors often use this word when reporting on sudden political changes or economic shifts. Listen for it in the intro of news segments.

Comparison

If you want to say someone is physically shaking with panic, use '動揺' (dōyō). If you want to say they are acting like a headless chicken, use '狼狽' (rōbai).

Finance Tip

If you study Japanese for business, '狼狽売り' is a must-know term for describing market crashes.

Stoicism

Understanding that 狼狽 is the opposite of the Japanese ideal of 'heijōshin' (calm mind) helps you understand why it's such a strong word.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Wolf' (狼) and a 'Bad' (狽) wolf trying to walk together. If they trip, they 'Rōbai' (panic) because they can't stand up alone.

Association visuelle

Imagine two wolves tied together, tripping over a rock and looking extremely confused and panicked.

Word Web

Panic Shock Wolf Confusion Dismay Composure Market Crash Literature

Défi

Write a sentence describing a villain's reaction when their secret base is discovered using '狼狽'.

Origine du mot

The word originates from ancient Chinese legends about two types of wolves: the 'Rō' and the 'Bai'.

Sens originel : The 'Rō' had long front legs and short back legs, while the 'Bai' had short front legs and long back legs. They could only travel by leaning on each other.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Contexte culturel

Be careful using this to describe someone directly to their face, as it implies they have lost control and are acting foolishly.

In English, 'dismay' is often more passive, but 狼狽 is active panic. It's closer to 'losing your cool' in a high-pressure situation.

Used in Natsume Soseki's novels to describe the 'modern' man's anxiety. Commonly heard in 'Detective Conan' when the culprit is caught. A key term in financial news during the 'Lehman Shock' in Japan.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Stock Market

狼狽売り
市場の狼狽
急落に狼狽する
投資家の狼狽

Crime/Mystery

犯人の狼狽
狼狽を隠せない
証拠に狼狽する
狼狽の色

Politics

政権の狼狽
質問に狼狽する
狼狽を招く
党内の狼狽

Literature

内心の狼狽
狼狽の極み
狼狽して叫ぶ
深淵な狼狽

Disasters

避難民の狼狽
突然の事態に狼狽
狼狽を鎮める
社会的な狼狽

Amorces de conversation

"最近、何かで狼狽したことはありますか？ (Have you been dismayed by anything recently?)"

"サプライズパーティーで狼狽したことがありますか？ (Have you ever been flustered by a surprise party?)"

"投資で狼狽売りをした経験はありますか？ (Have you ever experienced panic selling in investing?)"

"ドラマで犯人が狼狽するシーンは好きですか？ (Do you like scenes in dramas where the culprit gets flustered?)"

"どうすれば狼狽せずに冷静でいられますか？ (How can one stay calm without being dismayed?)"

Sujets d'écriture

自分が人生で一番狼狽した瞬間のことを詳しく書いてください。 (Write in detail about the moment in your life when you were most dismayed.)

もし突然100万円失ったら、あなたは狼狽しますか？どう対処しますか？ (If you suddenly lost 1 million yen, would you be dismayed? How would you handle it?)

「狼狽」と「慌てる」の違いについて、自分の言葉で説明してください。 (Explain the difference between 'rōbai' and 'awateru' in your own words.)

狼狽している人を見かけたとき、あなたならどう声をかけますか？ (If you saw someone who was dismayed, what would you say to them?)

ニュースで見た最近の狼狽した出来事について意見を書いてください。 (Write your opinion about a recent dismaying event you saw in the news.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Technically yes, but it sounds overly dramatic. It's like saying 'I was plunged into a state of profound dismay' because you missed the bus. Use '慌てる' (awateru) instead.

Yes, it is very commonly used as '狼狽する'. For example, '彼は突然のことに狼狽した' (He was dismayed by the sudden event).

It is Atamadaka (Type 1), meaning the first syllable 'RO' is high and the rest are low: RO-ubai.

It's a financial term for 'panic selling.' It happens when investors get scared by a falling market and sell their stocks quickly without thinking logically.

It's moderately common in literature and names of animals, but not in basic daily vocabulary. You'll see it in '狼狽' and '一匹狼' (lonely wolf).

狼狽 is more formal and literary. 'パニック' is used for general emergencies, while 狼狽 often describes a character's loss of dignity or composure.

The most direct opposite is '沈着' (chinchaku - composure) or '冷静' (reisei - calmness).

Yes, you can say '群衆が狼狽する' (The crowd was dismayed/panicked).

Yes, especially in formal reports or when discussing crisis management. A company might be described as '狼狽している' if they handle a scandal poorly.

It refers to a legend where two wolves with different leg lengths must support each other. If they separate, they fall down in panic.

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