B1 adjective Neutral #3,000 most common 1 min read

困惑

kùnhuò /kʰuə̂n xuô/
Practice it

Confused refers to a state of mental uncertainty when one cannot grasp the meaning or logic of a situation.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Feeling unable to understand or explain something clearly.
  • Commonly used to describe mental confusion or bewilderment.
  • Often occurs when facing complex or contradictory information.

Overview

  1. 1概览：困惑是一个描述心理状态的词汇，表达的是一种认知上的阻滞。当人们面对难以理解的现象、复杂的逻辑或自相矛盾的信息时，往往会产生这种感觉。它不仅指单纯的“不懂”，还包含了一种想要寻找答案却找不到方向的焦虑感。2) 用法模式：困惑常作谓语，如“他感到很困惑”；也可作定语，如“困惑的表情”。它常与“感到”、“十分”、“非常”等程度副词搭配使用。3) 常见语境：在学习中，对难题感到困惑；在生活中，对某人的行为感到困惑；在职场中，对未来的职业规划感到困惑。4) 近义词辨析：与“迷茫”相比，“困惑”更强调针对具体问题的不解，而“迷茫”更多指对大方向的模糊感；与“疑惑”相比，“困惑”程度更深，往往带有一种无法解决的挫败感，而“疑惑”更偏向于对事实真伪的怀疑。

Examples

1

我对他的决定感到很困惑。

everyday

I am very confused by his decision.

2

这个问题令专家们感到困惑。

formal

This issue has left the experts puzzled.

3

别困惑了，听我解释。

informal

Don't be confused, let me explain.

4

困惑感是探索真理的开端。

academic

The feeling of confusion is the beginning of exploring the truth.

Common Collocations

感到困惑 feel confused
十分困惑 very confused
解除困惑 resolve confusion

Common Phrases

满脸困惑

look completely puzzled

消除困惑

clear up confusion

Often Confused With

困惑 vs 迷惑

迷惑 often implies being led astray or deceived, whereas 困惑 is purely about internal lack of understanding.

Grammar Patterns

感到困惑 对...感到困惑 一脸困惑

How to Use It

Usage Notes

Use '困惑' to describe a state of mind rather than an action. It is neutral in register and suitable for both professional and casual contexts. Avoid using it to mean 'suspicious' as that is better expressed by '怀疑'.

Common Mistakes

Learners often use '困惑' as a verb, but it is an adjective. You must add '感到' (to feel) before it to make a complete predicate. Do not use it when you actually mean 'surprised' (惊讶).

Tips

💡

Use with degree adverbs

Use words like 非常 (very) or 十分 (extremely) before 困惑 to emphasize the depth of your confusion.

⚠️

Don't confuse with suspicion

Ensure the context is about lack of understanding rather than doubting someone's honesty.

🌍

Confucian context

The concept of being free from confusion is a key milestone in personal growth in Chinese culture.

Word Origin

The character 困 (kùn) originally depicted a tree inside an enclosure, symbolizing restriction or difficulty. Adding 惑 (huò), meaning to be misled, creates the meaning of being mentally restricted or lost.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, overcoming confusion is seen as a sign of wisdom. Confucius famously said that at forty, he was no longer confused by the world.

Memory Tip

Think of a person trapped inside a square (困) trying to find their way out, feeling puzzled. The character 困 literally looks like a person trapped in a box.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“疑惑”侧重于怀疑某事的真假或正确性，而“困惑”侧重于无法理解事物的逻辑或原因，带有更强的迷茫感。

可以说“他一脸困惑地看着我”，或者“这件事让他感到非常困惑”。

可以，例如“困惑的眼神”、“困惑的表情”，表示带有困惑情绪的动作或状态。

可以，“困惑”是一个中性偏正式的词汇，适用于各种口语和书面语场景。

Test Yourself

fill blank

面对这道复杂的数学题，他感到十分___。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 困惑

题目描述的是对难题的不解，用“困惑”最准确。

Score: /1

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