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B1 verb 10 min de lecture

迷う

mayou

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 迷う en 30 secondes

Explication 迷う in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners encounter '迷う' (mayou) in its most basic physical sense: getting lost. It is usually taught alongside directions and travel vocabulary. A1 students should focus on the phrase '道に迷いました' (michi ni mayoimashita - I got lost). This is a survival phrase used when you cannot find your hotel, the station, or a landmark. At this stage, the grammar is kept simple, usually in the polite past tense. Learners are encouraged to recognize the kanji '迷' and associate it with 'road' (the radical on the left). The concept of 'hesitating' is usually introduced later, so A1 learners primarily use it to describe their physical location. It is important to distinguish this from 'wasuremashita' (I forgot). You don't 'forget' the road; you 'get lost' on it. Practical application involves role-playing asking for help: 'Sumimasen, michi ni mayoimashita. [Place] wa doko desu ka?' (Excuse me, I'm lost. Where is [Place]?). This level of usage provides immediate utility for anyone visiting Japan. The focus is on the result (being lost) rather than the process of wondering.

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At the A2 level, the meaning of '迷う' (mayou) expands to include simple decision-making in daily life. This is where learners start using it to express hesitation between two or more concrete options. A common scenario is shopping or ordering food. The grammar pattern 'A か B か迷っています' (A ka B ka mayotte imasu - I'm hesitating between A and B) becomes very useful. A2 learners should also become familiar with the 'te-form' + 'shimau' construction: '迷ってしまいました' (mayotte shimaimashita), which adds a nuance of 'unfortunately' or 'accidentally' getting lost. You might also hear it in the context of 'which way to go' at a crossroads: '右か左か迷う' (migi ka hidari ka mayou). At this level, students are expected to conjugate the verb more fluently into negative forms like '迷わない' (mayowanai - don't get lost/don't hesitate). They start to see 'mayou' as a verb that describes an internal state of 'not having decided yet,' which is a key part of polite conversation when one is being offered choices by a host or a shop assistant.

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At the B1 level, '迷う' (mayou) takes on more abstract and figurative meanings. This is the level where the word is most frequently tested in the JLPT N3. Learners move beyond 'getting lost on a street' to 'losing one's way in life' or 'hesitating over a career path' (進路に迷う - shinro ni mayou). The word starts to describe more complex psychological states. B1 students learn to use 'mayou' to describe being tempted (誘惑に迷う - yuuwaku ni mayou) or being confused by complex instructions. They also begin to distinguish 'mayou' from its synonyms like 'nayamu' (to worry) and 'chuucho suru' (to hesitate formally). Grammar becomes more sophisticated, incorporating causative or passive forms in literature, though the active form remains dominant. B1 learners should also understand the noun form '迷い' (mayoi), used in phrases like '迷いがある' (to have doubts). This level requires understanding that 'mayou' reflects a lack of a clear 'correct' path, whether that path is a physical road, a moral choice, or a logical conclusion. It is a transition point from concrete survival Japanese to expressive, emotional Japanese.

At the B2 level, learners are expected to understand '迷う' (mayou) in nuanced social and literary contexts. This includes understanding idiomatic expressions and the subtle differences in register. For example, a B2 learner should know that 'mayowazu' (without hesitation) can be used as an adverb to describe a person's character or a swift action. They also encounter the word in broader societal contexts, such as 'investor hesitation' in financial news or 'public indecision' in political analysis. At this stage, the distinction between 'mayou' and 'madou' (to be bewildered) becomes more relevant. B2 students should be able to use the verb in complex sentences that include conditional clauses and various levels of formality. They might encounter the word in classical literature or Buddhist-influenced texts where it represents the cycle of delusion (mayoi) vs. enlightenment. The ability to use 'mayou' to describe subtle emotional shifts—such as a heart wavering between love and duty—is a hallmark of this level. It's no longer just about 'which ramen to buy' but about the complexity of human choice and the uncertainty of the future.

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At the C1 level, the learner's grasp of '迷う' (mayou) is near-native, encompassing rare kanji compounds and deep cultural connotations. This includes understanding the word's role in Japanese aesthetics and philosophy. For instance, the concept of 'mayoi' in Zen Buddhism—as a necessary state before achieving clarity—might be discussed in academic or spiritual contexts. C1 learners can use related terms like 'koushu no mayoi' (the hesitation of a master/expert) or understand the nuance of 'mayoi-箸' (mayoi-bashi), a cultural faux pas involving hovering chopsticks over food. They are comfortable with the verb's use in high-level literature where it might symbolize the existential drift of a generation. The learner can also distinguish the subtle shades of meaning when 'mayou' is used in legal or technical documents to describe 'ambiguity' in a text. At this level, the word is a tool for precise expression of doubt, uncertainty, and the human condition. They can debate the ethics of 'mayou' (hesitation) in leadership versus the necessity of thorough consideration, using the word as a centerpiece for complex discourse.

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At the C2 level, '迷う' (mayou) is mastered in all its historical, poetic, and regional variations. The learner is aware of how the word has evolved from Old Japanese and how it appears in classical texts like the Man'yoshu or the Tale of Genji, often with slightly different kanji or connotations of 'being enchanted' or 'bewitched' by beauty or spirits. They can use the word to analyze the 'indecisiveness' often attributed to the Japanese national character in sociolinguistic studies. C2 speakers can effortlessly switch between the most casual slang forms of 'mayou' and the most formal, honorific expressions of doubt used in the presence of royalty or in high-stakes diplomacy. They understand the word's use in idioms that are no longer common but still appear in high-brow culture. Their understanding is so deep that they can play with the word's meanings in puns, poetry, or sophisticated humor. For a C2 speaker, 'mayou' is not just a verb; it is a conceptual lens through which they can interpret and describe the complexities of navigation, decision-making, and the spiritual journey of the self.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

迷う en 30 secondes

Used for getting lost physically (roads, buildings).
Used for mental hesitation or indecisiveness (choosing items).
Uses the particle 'ni' for the cause of confusion.
A versatile B1-level verb essential for daily life and travel.

The Japanese verb 迷う (mayou) is a fundamental part of the Japanese lexicon, primarily categorized under the CEFR B1 level due to its versatile applications in both physical and psychological contexts. At its core, the word encapsulates the state of being 'lost' or 'undecided.' Whether you are physically wandering through the labyrinthine streets of Shinjuku or mentally debating between the tonkatsu and the sushi for lunch, mayou is the verb you need. It belongs to the Godan verb group (u-verbs), specifically ending in '-u', which dictates its conjugation patterns. The kanji character 迷 consists of the 'road' or 'movement' radical (⻌) and the phonetic component (米), which originally depicted a confused or scattered state like grains of rice, symbolizing the lack of a clear path forward.

Physical Disorientation: The most literal usage refers to losing one's way. If you cannot find your destination or have taken a wrong turn, you are in a state of 道に迷う (michi ni mayou). This is an essential phrase for travelers. In Japan, where addresses are based on blocks rather than street names, getting lost is a common experience even for locals.

初めて東京に来たとき、新宿駅の中で迷ってしまいました。
(When I first came to Tokyo, I got lost inside Shinjuku Station.)

Mental Hesitation: Beyond physical space, mayou describes the internal struggle of decision-making. When presented with multiple choices, the feeling of hesitation or indecisiveness is expressed as 迷っています (mayotte imasu). This can range from trivial choices like selecting a drink to life-altering decisions like choosing a career path.

Furthermore, mayou extends into the spiritual or moral realm. It can describe being tempted or led astray from a righteous path, often used in Buddhist contexts to describe the 'delusion' of the human mind that prevents enlightenment. This depth makes it a rich word for learners to master, as it bridges the gap between basic survival phrases and complex emotional expression. It is distinct from 忘れる (wasureru - to forget) or 無くす (nakusu - to lose an object). You lose your way with mayou, but you lose your keys with nakusu. Understanding this distinction is crucial for clear communication. In daily life, you will hear this word in restaurants ('I'm torn between the ramen and the curry'), in meetings ('We are still hesitating on which vendor to choose'), and in casual conversation ('I got lost on the way here'). Its frequency in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N3 level emphasizes its importance for intermediate speakers who are moving beyond simple survival Japanese into more nuanced dialogue.

どちらの靴を買うか、一時間も迷っている。
(I have been hesitating for an hour over which shoes to buy.)

Spiritual and Abstract Wandering: In literature, mayou is used to describe a soul that cannot find peace, as in 迷い犬 (mayoi-inu - stray dog) or 迷い子 (mayoigo - lost child). It suggests a lack of belonging or purpose. This abstract usage is common in song lyrics and novels to convey a sense of existential drift.

人生の目的に迷う時期は誰にでもある。
(Everyone has a period where they lose their way regarding their purpose in life.)

Using 迷う (mayou) correctly requires an understanding of Japanese particles, particularly に (ni) and を (wo), as well as the verb's conjugation. As an intransitive verb, it focuses on the state of the subject rather than an action performed on an object. The most common grammatical pattern is [Noun] に迷う, where the noun is the thing causing the confusion or the place where one is lost.

The 'Ni' Particle Pattern: When you are lost in a place, use michi ni mayou (lost on the road) or mori ni mayou (lost in the forest). When you are hesitating between choices, use sentaku ni mayou (hesitating on a choice). The particle に marks the target of your confusion.

道に迷ったら、近くの人に聞いてください。
(If you get lost, please ask someone nearby.)

Comparing Options: To express hesitation between two specific items, the pattern A か B か迷う is standard. For example, A-setto ka B-setto ka mayotte iru (I'm torn between Set A and Set B). This structure is incredibly common in shopping and dining scenarios.

Conjugation-wise, mayou follows the standard Godan rules:

Dictionary: 迷う (mayou)
Polite: 迷います (mayoimasu)
Te-form: 迷って (mayotte)
Past: 迷った (mayotta)
Negative: 迷わない (mayowanai)
Potential: 迷える (mayoeru - can be lost/can hesitate)

The te-form mayotte is frequently paired with shimau (to do something accidentally or regrettably) to form mayotte shimatta, emphasizing the unfortunate nature of being lost. In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter mayoi as a noun, meaning 'hesitation' or 'delusion'. For example, mayoi ga aru (to have doubts/hesitations).

メニューを見て、どれにするか迷っています。
(Looking at the menu, I'm hesitating over which one to choose.)

Negative Form and Decision Making: The negative form mayowazu (without hesitating) is a powerful adverbial phrase. Mayowazu ni susumu means to move forward without hesitation, often used to describe someone with strong conviction or a clear goal.

彼は迷わずに一番難しい道を選んだ。
(He chose the most difficult path without hesitation.)

The word 迷う (mayou) is ubiquitous in Japanese daily life, appearing in various registers from casual slang to formal announcements. One of the most common places you will hear it is in public transport hubs. Station staff frequently encounter tourists who say, 'Sumimasen, michi ni mayotte shimaimashita' (Excuse me, I've gotten lost). In the complex underground networks of Tokyo or Osaka, 'mayou' is almost a daily ritual for many.

In Commercial Settings: In department stores or restaurants, customers often use mayou to signal to staff that they need more time. If a waiter asks for your order, saying 'Mada mayotte imasu' (I'm still deciding/hesitating) is a polite way to ask for a few more minutes. It sounds much more natural than saying 'I don't know yet'.

店員：「ご注文はお決まりですか？」
客：「うーん、まだ迷っています。」
(Waiter: "Have you decided on your order?"
Customer: "Hmm, I'm still hesitating.")

In Anime and Manga: The word is a staple in character development. Protagonists often face a mayoi—a moment of doubt where they question their path or their values. Phrases like 'Kokoro ga mayotte iru' (My heart is wavering) are common in dramatic scenes. It conveys a deep internal conflict that English might translate as 'being conflicted'.

In business contexts, mayou is used when discussing strategy or options. A manager might say, 'Puran A to Puran B de mayotte imasu' (We are torn between Plan A and Plan B). However, in very formal written reports, more Sino-Japanese (Kango) words like kentou-chuu (under consideration) or chuucho (hesitation) might be preferred. In casual speech among friends, mayou is often shortened or used in the form 'mayou na~' (I'm really torn!) when looking at a variety of enticing items at a festival stall or a convenience store. It reflects a very human moment of vulnerability or indecision that is highly relatable.

こんなに種類があると、どれにするか迷っちゃうね！
(With this many types, I just can't decide/I'm totally torn!)

News and Media: You might hear 'mayoi' in the context of the stock market or political polls, describing 'wavering' or 'uncertain' trends. For example, 'toushika no mayoi' (investor hesitation). It implies a lack of clear direction in the market.

While 迷う (mayou) is a versatile word, English speakers often stumble when trying to map it directly to English concepts like 'lose' or 'wonder.' The most frequent error is confusing mayou with other verbs that translate to 'lose' in English. In Japanese, 'losing' an object, 'losing' a game, and 'losing' your way are three completely different verbs.

Mistake 1: Losing Objects: You cannot use mayou for losing your wallet or keys. For physical objects, you must use なくす (nakusu). Saying 'Saifu ni mayotta' would mean you were hesitating about your wallet (perhaps whether to buy it), not that you lost it.

❌ 鍵を迷いました。
✅ 鍵をなくしました。
(I lost my keys.)

Mistake 2: Losing a Game: Losing a competition or a match is 負ける (makeru). Beginners sometimes try to use mayou because of the broad 'lose' translation in English. 'Shiai ni mayotta' would suggest you were confused during the game, not that you were defeated.

Another common error involves particle usage. English speakers often want to use the object particle を (wo) because 'getting lost' or 'hesitating' feels like an action directed at something. However, mayou is intransitive. You 'hesitate **at** a choice' or 'get lost **on** a road,' which requires に (ni). For example, 'Michi wo mayou' is occasionally heard but 'Michi ni mayou' is the standard, more natural form. Furthermore, learners often confuse mayou with komaru (to be troubled). While being lost is troubling, komaru refers to the distress, while mayou refers to the lack of direction.

❌ 道を迷う。
✅ 道に迷う。
(To get lost on the road.)

Mistake 3: Confusing with 'Wonder': English speakers often use 'wonder' to mean 'to think about something curiously' (e.g., 'I wonder if it will rain'). Mayou does NOT mean this. For 'wondering' in the sense of curiosity, use ...kana to omou. Mayou always implies a choice or a struggle to find a way.

❌ 明日雨が降るか迷っています。
✅ 明日雨が降るかなと思っています。
(I wonder if it will rain tomorrow.)

Japanese has several words that overlap with 迷う (mayou), and choosing the right one depends on the context and the level of formality. Understanding these nuances will elevate your Japanese from basic to advanced.

迷う (Mayou) vs. 躊躇する (Chuucho-suru): Mayou is the general, everyday word for hesitating or being lost. Chuucho-suru is a more formal, academic term for 'hesitation.' It often implies a psychological barrier or a fear of consequences that stops someone from acting. You might 'mayou' between two cakes, but you 'chuucho' to speak up against a boss.

ケーキを選ぶのに迷う。
真実を言うのを躊躇する。
(Hesitating to choose a cake vs. Hesitating to tell the truth.)

迷う (Mayou) vs. 惑う (Madou): Madou is a closely related verb (using the same kanji root in some contexts) but focuses more on being 'puzzled' or 'bewildered.' While mayou is about the path, madou is about the mental confusion itself. It is often seen in the compound tomadou (to be bewildered/at a loss).

Other alternatives include:

悩む (Nayamu): To worry or be troubled. While mayou is about making a choice, nayamu is about the emotional suffering or deep thought associated with a problem. If you are 'mayou' about a job offer, you are picking between A and B. If you are 'nayamu' about it, you are losing sleep over the stress.
立ち往生する (Tachi-ojo-suru): A dramatic way to say 'to be at a standstill' or 'to be stuck.' This is used when you are so lost or confused that you can't move at all, often used for traffic or complex problems.
うろつく (Urotsuku): To loiter or wander aimlessly. This describes the physical action of someone who is lost or has no purpose, rather than the mental state of being lost.

Knowing these differences allows you to describe your situation with precision. In a restaurant, mayou is perfect. In a crisis of faith, nayamu or madou might be more appropriate. In a business negotiation, chuucho sounds professional.

進路に悩んでいます。
(I am worried/anguished about my future path.)

Summary Table

Word	Nuance
迷う	General hesitation/getting lost
悩む	Worrying/Suffering over a choice
躊躇	Formal hesitation/holding back
戸惑う	Bewildered by a situation

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The kanji for 'mayou' (迷) contains the radical for 'road' (⻌) and the character for 'rice' (米). One theory is that it represents rice scattered on a road, making the path unclear, or the many directions rice grains can fly when being threshed.

Guide de prononciation

UK /mɑː.joʊ.uː/

US /mɑ.joʊ.u/

Japanese is pitch-accented. In 'mayou', the pitch usually starts low and rises on 'yo', then stays level or drops on 'u' (Heiban/Atamadaka patterns vary by dialect, but standard is often LH-H).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

The kanji is N3 level but the concept is simple.

Écriture 3/5

The kanji 迷 requires attention to the stroke order of the radical.

Expression orale 2/5

Very common and easy to use in basic patterns.

Écoute 2/5

Distinctive sound, often heard in shops and stations.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

道 (michi) 行く (iku) 選ぶ (erabu) どっち (dotchi) 駅 (eki)

Apprends ensuite

悩む (nayamu) 決める (kimeru) 躊躇 (chuucho) 惑う (madou) 探す (sagasu)

Avancé

葛藤 (kattou - conflict/struggle) 優柔不断 (yuujuu-fudan - indecisive) 暗礁に乗り上げる (anshou ni noriageru - to hit a deadlock)

Grammaire à connaître

Te-form + shimau

道に迷ってしまった。 (I accidentally/unfortunately got lost.)

Ka...ka pattern

行くか行かないか迷う。 (I'm torn between going or not.)

Potential form

この森では迷いやすい。 (It's easy to get lost in this forest.)

Adverbial negative (zu)

迷わず決めた。 (I decided without hesitation.)

Noun + ni + mayou

答えに迷う。 (To hesitate over the answer.)

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Exemples par niveau

道に迷いました。

I got lost on the road.

Simple past tense of 'mayou'.

駅で迷いました。

I got lost at the station.

Location particle 'de' indicates where the action happened.

迷わないでください。

Please don't get lost.

Negative te-form + kudasai (request).

どこで迷いましたか？

Where did you get lost?

Question form using 'doko' (where).

いつも道に迷います。

I always get lost on the road.

Present tense used for habitual actions.

迷ったら、電話してください。

If you get lost, please call me.

Conditional 'tara' (if/when).

少し迷いました。

I got a little lost.

Adverb 'sukoshi' (a little) modifying the verb.

迷うのが怖いです。

I am afraid of getting lost.

Nominalizing the verb with 'no' to make it a subject.

どっちの服にするか迷っています。

I'm hesitating over which clothes to choose.

Present progressive 'te-iru' shows ongoing hesitation.

メニューを見て迷いました。

I looked at the menu and couldn't decide.

Te-form used to show a sequence of actions.

ラーメンか寿司か迷うね。

I'm torn between ramen or sushi, aren't I?

The 'ka...ka' pattern for choices.

道に迷って、遅れました。

I got lost and was late.

Te-form used to show cause and effect.

迷わずに行けました。

I was able to go without getting lost.

Potential form 'iketa' combined with negative adverbial 'mayowazu ni'.

どちらがいいか迷う。

I'm hesitating over which one is better.

Indirect question 'ka' used with the verb.

プレゼント選びに迷っています。

I'm hesitating over choosing a present.

Noun + particle 'ni' to show the target of hesitation.

迷ったときは、これにします。

When I'm undecided, I choose this.

Temporal clause 'toki' (when).

将来の進路について迷っています。

I am hesitating about my future career path.

Using 'nitsuite' (about) to define the topic of hesitation.

都会の生活に迷うことがあります。

There are times when I feel lost in city life.

Phrase 'koto ga aru' indicates occasional occurrence.

返事に迷って、何も言えなかった。

I hesitated over the reply and couldn't say anything.

Potential negative 'ienakatta' (couldn't say).

誘惑に迷わないように気をつける。

I will be careful not to be led astray by temptation.

Negative 'nai' + 'youni' (so that...not).

彼は決断に迷いがない。

He has no hesitation in his decisions.

Noun form 'mayoi' used with the verb 'nai' (to not exist).

どちらの会社に入るか迷う。

I'm torn between which company to join.

Relative clause style structure for choices.

看板が多すぎて、逆に迷う。

There are too many signs, so I get lost even more (paradoxically).

Adverb 'gyaku ni' (on the contrary).

人生の目的に迷う時期がある。

There is a period when one loses sight of their life's purpose.

Abstract use of 'mayou' for existential confusion.

正しい道を選ぶのに迷いは禁物だ。

Hesitation is forbidden when choosing the right path.

Noun 'mayoi' + 'kinmotsu' (forbidden/taboo).

あまりの美しさに、一瞬迷いが生じた。

Because of the sheer beauty, a moment of hesitation arose.

Verb 'shoujiru' (to arise/occur) used with 'mayoi'.

迷わずに行動できる人が羨ましい。

I envy people who can act without hesitation.

Adverbial 'mayowazu ni' (without hesitating).

古い習慣と新しい文化の間で迷う。

I am torn between old customs and new culture.

Using 'aida de' (between) to show the conflict.

迷いの中にも、一筋の光が見えた。

Even amidst the confusion, I saw a ray of light.

Metaphorical use of 'mayoi' as a dark state of mind.

複雑な感情に迷わされる。

I am being led astray/confused by complex emotions.

Passive form 'mayowasareru' (to be made to wander).

彼女の言葉に迷いを感じた。

I felt hesitation in her words.

Verb 'kanjiru' (to feel) with the noun 'mayoi'.

道に迷うこと自体が旅の醍醐味だ。

Getting lost itself is the real pleasure of traveling.

Nominalizer 'jitai' (itself).

煩悩に迷うのが人間の性である。

It is human nature to be lost in worldly desires.

Buddhist term 'bonnou' (worldly desires) used with 'mayou'.

政治家としての信念が迷い始めた。

His convictions as a politician began to waver.

Compound verb 'mayoi-hajimeta' (began to hesitate).

迷い箸は食事のマナーとして良くない。

Hovering your chopsticks (hesitating) is bad table manners.

Specific cultural term 'mayoi-bashi'.

迷宮に迷い込んだかのような感覚だ。

It feels as if I've wandered into a labyrinth.

Compound verb 'mayoi-konda' (to wander into).

迷いの雲が晴れ、決意が固まった。

The clouds of hesitation cleared, and my resolve strengthened.

Metaphorical noun 'mayoi no kumo' (clouds of doubt).

学問の道に迷うことは、成長の証だ。

To be lost in the path of learning is a sign of growth.

Abstract 'michi' (path) referring to academic pursuit.

迷いなき一撃が勝負を決めた。

A single strike without hesitation decided the match.

Archaic/Formal 'naki' (without) used as an adjective.

真理を求めて迷い歩く哲学者。

A philosopher wandering in search of truth.

Compound verb 'mayoi-aruku' (to wander around lost).

衆生が迷いの世界から救われることを願う。

I pray that all living beings are saved from this world of delusion.

Formal Buddhist terminology 'shujou' (living beings) and 'mayoi no sekai'.

その詩は、魂の迷いを克明に描き出している。

The poem vividly depicts the wanderings of the soul.

Literary usage for deep existential themes.

迷いなき境地に達するのは容易ではない。

It is not easy to reach a state of mind free of all hesitation.

High-level term 'kyouchi' (state of mind/threshold).

幾多の迷いを経て、ようやく答えに辿り着いた。

After going through countless hesitations, I finally reached the answer.

Formal quantifier 'ikuta no' (many/countless).

彼の筆致には、一糸の迷いも感じられない。

In his brushstrokes, not a single thread of hesitation can be felt.

Idiomatic 'isshi no mayoi mo nai' (not even a thread of doubt).

迷いと悟りは、表裏一体の関係にある。

Delusion and enlightenment are like two sides of the same coin.

Philosophical idiom 'hyouri-ittai' (two sides, one body).

森羅万象、迷いなきものは存在しない。

In all of creation, there is nothing that does not experience hesitation.

Classical term 'shinra-banshou' (all things in the universe).

迷い子の如く、彼は社会の荒波を漂った。

Like a lost child, he drifted through the rough waves of society.

Simile using 'gotoku' (like/as if).

Collocations courantes

道に迷う

判断に迷う

選択に迷う

返事に迷う

進路に迷う

誘惑に迷う

答えに迷う

出口に迷う

迷いが生じる

迷い箸

Phrases Courantes

まだ迷っています

— I'm still deciding. Use this in restaurants or shops when you need more time.

店員さん、まだ迷っています。

迷わず行けよ

— Go without hesitation! A famous motivational quote by wrestler Antonio Inoki.

迷わず行けよ、行けばわかるさ。

迷いはない

— I have no doubts. Expresses strong conviction.

自分の選んだ道に迷いはない。

迷い子

— A lost child. Often used in announcements at shopping malls.

迷い子のお知らせをいたします。

迷い犬

— A stray dog or a lost dog.

近所で迷い犬を見かけた。

どっちか迷う

— Torn between which one to pick. Very casual.

赤か青、どっちか迷うなあ。

迷いどころ

— The point of hesitation. The difficult part of a choice.

値段と性能、そこが迷いどころだ。

迷い込む

— To wander into somewhere accidentally.

不思議な世界に迷い込んだ。

迷い道

— A maze or a path that leads one astray.

人生の迷い道に入ってしまった。

迷わず選ぶ

— To choose without hesitation.

彼は迷わず一番高いものを買った。

Souvent confondu avec

迷う vs なくす (nakusu)

Nakusu is for losing objects (keys, wallet). Mayou is for losing your way.

迷う vs 負ける (makeru)

Makeru is for losing a game or match. Mayou is for hesitation or getting lost.

迷う vs 忘れる (wasureru)

Wasureru is to forget. You don't 'forget' a road, you 'mayou' on it.

Expressions idiomatiques

"迷い箸 (Mayoi-bashi)"

— Moving your chopsticks back and forth over several dishes because you can't decide what to eat. It's considered bad manners.

迷い箸はやめなさい。

Etiquette

"迷わず行けよ (Mayowazu ike yo)"

— Don't hesitate, just go. A phrase encouraging someone to take a bold step.

迷わず行けよ、道は開ける。

Inspirational

"迷いが生じる (Mayoi ga shoujiru)"

— For doubt or hesitation to arise in one's mind.

完璧な計画だったが、迷いが生じた。

Formal

"迷いを断ち切る (Mayoi wo tachikiru)"

— To cut through one's doubts and make a firm decision.

迷いを断ち切って、留学を決めた。

Determined

"迷宮入り (Meikyuu-iri)"

— To go into a 'labyrinth' (referring to a cold case or unsolved mystery).

その事件は迷宮入りした。

Legal/News

"煩悩の迷い (Bonnou no mayoi)"

— The delusions caused by worldly desires in Buddhism.

煩悩の迷いから解き放たれる。

Religious

"迷いなき一歩 (Mayoi naki ippo)"

— A step taken without any hesitation.

彼は迷いなき一歩を踏み出した。

Literary

"暗雲低迷 (An'un teimei)"

— Dark clouds hanging low (a state of stagnation or uncertainty).

景気は暗雲低迷の状態だ。

Economic

"五里霧中 (Gori muchuu)"

— Being in a thick fog (totally lost/clueless).

新プロジェクトは五里霧中だ。

Idiomatic

"迷いも曇りもない (Mayoi mo kumori mo nai)"

— To have no doubt and no cloudiness (absolute clarity).

彼の瞳には迷いも曇りもなかった。

Literary

Facile à confondre

迷う vs 悩む (nayamu)

Both involve being 'stuck' mentally.

Mayou is about choosing between options. Nayamu is about deep emotional worry or suffering over a problem.

Which cake? (Mayou). My career future? (Nayamu).

迷う vs 躊躇する (chuucho-suru)

Both mean 'to hesitate'.

Mayou is common and general. Chuucho is formal and often implies a fear of the next step.

Should I buy this? (Mayou). Should I protest? (Chuucho).

迷う vs 戸惑う (tomadou)

Both involve confusion.

Mayou is about the path/choice. Tomadou is about being surprised or bewildered by a situation.

Lost in a station (Mayou). Confused by a sudden hug (Tomadou).

迷う vs 惑う (madou)

They share the same kanji.

Madou is more literary and focuses on being mentally misled or blinded by something.

Bewitched by beauty (Madou).

迷う vs 迷信 (meishin)

Uses the same kanji.

Meishin is a noun meaning 'superstition' (a 'lost' or 'false' belief).

Black cats are bad luck (Meishin).

Structures de phrases

[Place] で迷いました。

駅で迷いました。

[A] か [B] か迷っています。

うどんかそばか迷っています。

[Noun] に迷う。

将来の道に迷う。

迷わず [Verb]。

迷わず買った。

迷いが生じる。

心に迷いが生じた。

迷いなき [Noun]。

迷いなき決断。

[Verb-dictionary] かどうか迷う。

留学するかどうか迷う。

[Noun] に迷い込む。

迷路に迷い込む。

Famille de mots

Noms

迷い (mayoi) hesitation, doubt, delusion

迷宮 (meikyuu) labyrinth, maze

迷路 (meiro) maze, physical labyrinth

Verbes

迷い込む (mayoikomu) to wander into, to get lost into

迷い歩く (mayoiaruku) to wander around lost

Adjectifs

迷わしい (mayowashii) puzzling, confusing (rarely used, 'magirawashii' is more common)

Apparenté

惑う (madou)

悩む (nayamu)

躊躇 (chuucho)

迷惑 (meiwaku - though 'mayoi' is the first kanji, the meaning is 'trouble/nuisance')

迷信 (meishin - superstition)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and travel.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'mayou' for losing a wallet. → Saifu wo nakushita.
Mayou is only for roads or choices, not physical objects.
Using 'wo' instead of 'ni'. → Michi ni mayou.
Mayou is an intransitive verb and usually takes 'ni'.
Using 'mayou' for losing a game. → Shiai ni maketa.
To lose a competition is 'makeru'.
Using 'mayou' to mean 'I wonder if...'. → Ame ga furu kana...
Mayou is for choices/paths, not general curiosity.
Confusing 'mayou' with 'wasureru'. → Michi ni mayoimashita.
You don't 'forget' the road (wasureru), you 'get lost' on it (mayou).

Astuces

Getting Lost

Always use 'ni' for the place you are lost in. 'Mori ni mayou' (Lost in the forest).

Polite Indecision

Use 'mayotte imasu' to politely tell a waiter or clerk you need more time to decide.

Te-form Nuance

Pair it with 'shimau' (mayotte shimatta) to show that getting lost was an accident you regret.

Mayou vs Nayamu

If you are picking between two things, use 'mayou'. If you are suffering over a problem, use 'nayamu'.

Etiquette

Avoid 'mayoi-bashi' (hesitating with chopsticks) as it is considered rude at the table.

Commercials

Listen for 'mayowazu' in ads; it's used to tell you to 'buy it without hesitation!'

Kanji Radical

The 'road' radical (⻌) is your clue that this word is about paths and directions.

Casual Torn

Add 'na~' to 'mayou' (mayou na~) to sound more natural when you're undecided.

Survival Phrase

Memorize 'michi ni mayoimashita' before your trip to Japan. It's essential.

Embrace the Mayoi

In Japanese, being lost is just another path. Don't be afraid to use the word!

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine you are holding a bowl of 'MAYO' (mayou) and you are 'LOST' in a supermarket trying to find the sandwich aisle. You 'HESITATE' because there are too many brands.

Association visuelle

Visualize a fork in the road with a giant question mark hovering over it. The character '迷' looks like a person walking (the road radical) through a field of scattered rice (the rice part).

Word Web

Road (Michi) Choice (Sentaku) Heart (Kokoro) Menu Station (Eki) Labyrinth (Meikyuu) Doubt (Gimon) Future (Shourai)

Défi

Try to spend one whole day noticing every time you have to make a choice. Every time you do, say 'Mayou na...' (I'm torn...) to yourself in Japanese.

Origine du mot

The word 'mayou' originates from Old Japanese. It is believed to have been used to describe a state where things are not clear or are blurred. The kanji 迷 was adopted from Chinese, where it also means to be lost or confused.

Sens originel : To be blurred, unclear, or to lose one's sense of direction.

Japonic

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'mayou' to describe someone else's decision-making in a professional setting, as it might imply they are weak-willed.

In English, we use different words for 'lost' and 'hesitate'. Japanese combines these into one concept of 'losing the correct path'.

Antonio Inoki's poem 'Michi' (The Path) which uses the phrase 'Mayowazu ike yo'. The anime 'Monogatari Series' features a character named Mayoi Hachikuji, a 'lost cow' (ghost) who causes people to get lost. The Buddhist term 'Mayoi no Sekai' (The World of Delusion).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At a Restaurant

どれにするか迷っています。
おすすめはありますか？
AセットとBセットで迷う。
まだ決まっていないので迷っています。

Travel / Directions

道に迷ってしまいました。
ここ、どこですか？
地図を見ても迷う。
迷わないように気をつけて。

Shopping

色で迷っています。
サイズが合うか迷う。
買うか迷うなあ。
迷ったけど、買わなかった。

Career / Education

将来に迷いがある。
進路を迷っている。
どの大学がいいか迷う。
仕事のことで迷っています。

Social Situations

返信の内容に迷う。
行くべきか迷う。
誘いに迷っている。
迷わず断った。

Amorces de conversation

"日本に来たとき、道に迷ったことはありますか？ (Have you ever gotten lost in Japan?)"

"メニューを選ぶとき、いつも迷いますか？ (Do you always hesitate when choosing from a menu?)"

"最近、何か迷っていることはありますか？ (Is there anything you're hesitating about lately?)"

"迷ったときは、誰に相談しますか？ (Who do you consult when you are undecided?)"

"人生で一番迷った決断は何ですか？ (What was the decision you hesitated over the most in your life?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日、何をするか迷った瞬間について書いてください。 (Write about a moment today when you were undecided about what to do.)

「道に迷う」ことは悪いことだと思いますか？その理由を書いてください。 (Do you think getting lost is a bad thing? Write your reasons.)

将来の夢について、今迷っていることを正直に書いてみましょう。 (Try writing honestly about what you are currently hesitating about regarding your future dreams.)

もし魔法の地図があったら、もう道に迷いたくないですか？ (If you had a magic map, would you never want to get lost again?)

「迷い」をなくすために、あなたはどんなことをしますか？ (What do you do to eliminate hesitation?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, you should use 'nakusu' (なくす) for losing physical objects. 'Mayou' is only for losing your way or hesitating between choices.

It is an intransitive verb. This means it doesn't take a direct object with 'wo'. Instead, you use 'ni' to show what you are lost in or hesitating about.

'Michi ni mayou' is the standard and most correct way to say 'get lost on the road.' 'Michi wo mayou' is sometimes used but is less common and can sound slightly unnatural.

You can use the pattern 'A ka B ka mayotte imasu.' For example, 'Ramen ka sushi ka mayotte imasu.'

Yes, 'mayoi' is the noun form of 'mayou.' It means 'hesitation,' 'doubt,' or 'delusion.' You can say 'mayoi ga aru' (I have doubts).

Not exactly. For 'lost in thought,' Japanese uses 'kangaegoto wo shite iru' or 'muchuu ni naru.' 'Mayou' implies you are stuck or can't find a solution.

It is the negative adverbial form meaning 'without hesitation.' It's often used to describe decisive actions.

Yes, 'yuuwaku ni mayou' means to be led astray by temptation or to hesitate because of it.

Yes, the kanji is 迷. It's an N3 level kanji.

Yes, it's fine, but in very formal contexts, words like 'kentou' (consideration) or 'chuucho' (hesitation) might be more appropriate depending on the nuance.

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