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B1 noun #7,000 mais comum 6 min de leitura

当惑

touwaku Top 7,000

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas 当惑 em 30 segundos

Explicação 当惑 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn simple words for feelings like 'happy' (ureshii) or 'sad' (kanashii). '当惑' (tōwaku) is too difficult for basic conversations. Instead of 'tōwaku,' you might say 'wakaranai' (I don't understand) or 'bikkuri' (surprised). However, it is good to know that Japanese has special words for being 'puzzled.' If you see this word in a book, just think of it as a fancy way to say 'Wait, what? I'm confused.' You don't need to use it yet, but recognizing the kanji '惑' (confusion) will help you later. Focus on learning how to say 'I am in trouble' using 'komaru' first, as that is much more common for beginners.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to describe situations in more detail. You might encounter '当惑' in simple news articles or graded readers. The most important thing to learn is that it is often used as a verb: '当惑する' (tōwaku suru). If someone asks you a very strange question, you can say '当惑しました' (I was perplexed). It's a bit more polite and adult-sounding than just saying 'I didn't understand.' You should also start noticing the difference between 'tōwaku' and 'komaru' (to be in trouble). 'Tōwaku' is about your mind being confused, while 'komaru' is about the situation being difficult for you. Try to recognize the word when you hear it in Japanese TV shows.

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At the B1 level, you should be able to use '当惑' in your own writing and speaking, especially in slightly formal situations. This is the level where you distinguish between '戸惑い' (tomadoi - casual hesitation) and '当惑' (tōwaku - formal perplexity). You should practice using phrases like '当惑を隠せない' (cannot hide one's perplexity) to describe people in stories or news events. B1 learners should also understand that '当惑' often involves a social element—being confused by someone's behavior or a change in rules. It's a great word to use in a speech or a formal letter to describe a situation that is difficult to process. You should also be comfortable using the particle 'ni' to show what is causing the perplexity (e.g., 'henka ni tōwaku suru').

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of the nuances of '当惑.' You should understand that it implies a loss of composure. You can use it to describe complex social dynamics, such as the public's reaction to political scandals or a company's reaction to a sudden market crash. You should also be familiar with related literary expressions like '当惑の色を浮かべる' (to show a look of perplexity). At this level, you are expected to choose '当惑' over '困惑' or '狼狽' based on the specific type of confusion you want to convey. For example, if you want to emphasize that someone is 'at a loss' rather than 'in trouble,' '当惑' is the perfect choice. You should also be able to use it in the passive or causative forms (e.g., 'tōwaku saseru' - to perplex someone).

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At the C1 level, you are expected to use '当惑' with the precision of a native speaker. You should understand its use in high-level literature and academic writing. You might use it to discuss the 'existential perplexity' of a character in a novel or the 'methodological perplexity' in a scientific paper. C1 learners should also be aware of the historical and kanji-based roots of the word, understanding how '当' (facing) and '惑' (delusion) combine to create the meaning. You should be able to use it in sophisticated structures like '当惑を禁じ得ない' (cannot help but feel perplexed) or '当惑の極み' (the height of perplexity). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the subtle social boundaries that '当惑' often describes in Japanese society.

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At the C2 level, '当惑' is a tool for nuanced expression in professional, academic, and literary contexts. You can use it to deconstruct social interactions or to describe the subtle shifts in public sentiment with absolute accuracy. You should be able to distinguish '当惑' from even more obscure synonyms like '眩惑' (genwaku - being dazzled/blinded) or '疑惑' (giwaku - suspicion). At this level, you might use '当惑' in a philosophical sense, discussing the perplexity of the human condition. You should be able to translate complex English concepts like 'cognitive dissonance' or 'bewilderment' using '当惑' or its related terms, choosing the one that fits the cultural and linguistic context perfectly. Your mastery of this word allows you to navigate the most complex social and intellectual landscapes in Japanese.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

当惑 em 30 segundos

当惑 (Tōwaku) describes a state of being puzzled or perplexed by an unexpected situation.
It is a formal word often found in news, literature, and professional settings.
It differs from 'confusion' (konran) by focusing on the mental state of being 'at a loss'.
Commonly used in phrases like 'tōwaku o kakusenai' (cannot hide perplexity).

The Japanese word 当惑 (tōwaku) is a sophisticated noun and suru-verb that captures a specific intersection of confusion, perplexity, and mild social embarrassment. While English speakers might simply say they are 'puzzled' or 'confused,' 当惑 carries a weight of being 'at a loss' because a situation has deviated from expectations or social norms. It is not the confusion of a difficult math problem (which would be 混乱 or 難しい), but rather the internal state of not knowing how to react to someone else's behavior or a sudden change in circumstances.

Core Nuance: The feeling of being stuck between multiple possible reactions, leading to a visible or internal 'stalling' of one's typical composure.

突然の質問に、彼は当惑した様子だった。

Translation: He seemed perplexed by the sudden question.

In social contexts, 当惑 often arises when someone breaks the 'wa' (harmony) or acts in a way that is 'ky' (kuuki yomenai - unable to read the air). When a colleague makes an inappropriate joke or a friend suggests an impossible plan, the silent, awkward pause you feel is exactly what 当惑 describes. It is more formal than 戸惑い (tomadoi), which is the everyday version of being 'thrown off' or 'hesitant.'

Visualizing the Word: Imagine a person standing at a crossroads where the signs have been swapped. They aren't panicked (that's 狼狽), but they are definitely not moving forward. They are frozen in a state of 'What now?'

政府の曖昧な説明に、国民は当惑を隠せない。

Furthermore, the kanji themselves provide deep insight. 当 (tō) means 'to hit' or 'to face,' while 惑 (waku) means 'to be deluded' or 'to go astray.' To experience 当惑 is to be 'hit by confusion.' It suggests that the confusion is not your fault, but rather something that has happened to you because of an external event. This external focus is key to using the word correctly in Japanese discourse.

Register and Tone: This word is frequently found in news reports, literature, and formal business emails. In casual speech, people are more likely to use verbs like 'komaru' or 'bikkuri shita,' but 'tōwaku' adds a layer of intellectual observation to the feeling.

予想外の展開に、会場全体が当惑の渦に包まれた。

彼の当惑した顔を見て、私は自分のミスに気づいた。

マニュアルの不備が、現場のスタッフに当惑を与えている。

Using 当惑 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as both a noun and a suru-verb. When used as a noun, it often pairs with verbs like 'o oboeru' (to feel), 'o kakusenai' (cannot hide), or 'o maneku' (to cause/invite). When used as a verb (当惑する), it describes the action of becoming perplexed. The target of the perplexity is usually marked with the particle 'ni'.

Noun Form: 当惑を感じる: Focuses on the internal emotion. 'I felt a sense of perplexity.'

彼女の沈黙に、私は深い当惑を覚えた。

When you want to describe someone's appearance, the phrase '当惑の色を浮かべる' (to show a look of perplexity) is incredibly common in descriptive writing. This paints a picture of the emotion appearing on the person's face. In business contexts, if a policy is unclear, you might say the employees are '当惑している' (are in a state of perplexity).

Verb Form: 当惑する: Focuses on the reaction. 'I was perplexed by...'

あまりにも高額な請求書に、父は当惑している。

急なルール変更に、選手たちは当惑を隠せなかった。

彼の支離滅裂な言動は、周囲を当惑させるばかりだ。

当惑 is a staple of Japanese media. You will hear it most frequently in news broadcasts when reporters describe the public's reaction to a controversial new law, a sudden economic shift, or a strange local incident. It provides a neutral, objective way to describe collective confusion without using overly emotional language. In dramas and movies, it is used in stage directions and dialogue to describe the moment a protagonist is presented with a shocking secret or an inexplicable betrayal.

News Context: 'Residents are perplexed by the sudden construction plan.' (住民は突然の建設計画に当惑している。)

新制度の導入により、現場には当惑が広がっています。

In the corporate world, you might encounter it in internal reports or feedback. If a project's goals are contradictory, a manager might note that the 'team is experiencing tōwaku.' It is a professional way to say 'we are confused and this is a problem.' You will also see it in literary criticism, describing a character's internal conflict when faced with a moral dilemma.

犯人の動機が不明な点に、捜査員たちは当惑しているという。

彼の突然の引退発表は、ファンに大きな当惑を与えた。

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using 当惑 when they mean 混乱 (konran - chaos/confusion). While 'perplexity' is a type of confusion, 当惑 is specifically about a mental state of being puzzled or socially awkward. You wouldn't use 当惑 to describe a messy room or a traffic jam; that is 混乱 or 混雑. Another mistake is confusing it with 困る (komaru - to be in trouble). While being perplexed is often troublesome, 困る focuses on the difficulty of the situation itself, whereas 当惑 focuses on the mental reaction of the person.

Confusion vs. Trouble: Use 'komaru' for 'I'm in a pinch.' Use 'tōwaku' for 'I don't understand why this is happening/how to react.'

財布を忘れて当惑した。(Incorrect - should be 困った)

Additionally, learners sometimes use 当惑 for simple 'not understanding' (wakaranai). If you don't understand a word in a book, you are not 'tōwaku'; you just don't know the word. 当惑 requires a level of 'what on earth is going on?' or 'this shouldn't be happening.' It implies a disruption of the expected order. Finally, remember that it is a formal word. Using it with your best friends while deciding where to eat might sound overly dramatic or stiff.

先生の冗談が高度すぎて、学生たちは当惑していた。

Japanese has many words for confusion, and choosing the right one is essential for sounding native. 当惑 sits in the middle of the formality and intensity scale. Let's compare it to its closest relatives: 困惑 (konwaku), 戸惑い (tomadoi), and 狼狽 (rōbai).

当惑 vs. 困惑 (Konwaku): 困惑 (konwaku) is very similar but emphasizes the 'troubled' (困) aspect. If someone asks you for a loan you can't give, you feel 困惑. If someone asks you a question in a language you don't speak, you feel 当惑.

当惑 vs. 戸惑い (Tomadoi): 戸惑い (tomadoi) is the noun form of the verb 'tomadou.' It is softer, more common in daily life, and describes the hesitation you feel when you aren't sure of the next step (e.g., using a new smartphone).

初めての海外生活に戸惑いを感じる。(Natural daily usage)

当惑 vs. 狼狽 (Rōbai): 狼狽 (rōbai) is much stronger. It means 'panic' or 'consternation.' If a thief is caught red-handed, they don't feel 当惑; they feel 狼狽 (rōbai) and try to run away.

彼はその指摘に一瞬狼狽したが、すぐに平静を取り戻した。

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The kanji 惑 (waku) contains the radical for 'heart' (心) at the bottom, suggesting that perplexity is an emotional state that affects one's inner core.

Guia de pronúncia

UK təʊ.wɑː.kuː

US toʊ.wɑ.ku

Equal stress on both kanji, though the 'tō' is held for two beats (mora).

Rima com

Kōwaku (困惑) Sōwaku (騒惑) Yūwaku (誘惑) Meiwaku (迷惑) Giwaku (疑惑) Genwaku (眩惑) Wakuwaku (excited - though different meaning) Kaku (angle)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'tō' as a short 'to'. It must be long.
Adding an 'n' sound like 'tonwaku'.
Pronouncing 'waku' like 'wake'.
Stress on the wrong syllable (Japanese is pitch-accent based, not stress-based).
Confusing the pitch accent with similar sounding words.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 7/5

The kanji '惑' is N2 level, but the word is common in media.

Escrita 8/5

Writing '惑' correctly requires practice due to the many strokes.

Expressão oral 6/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires knowing the right social context.

Audição 6/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to pick out in news broadcasts.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

困る驚く分からない戸惑う混乱

Aprenda a seguir

困惑狼狽疑念葛藤躊躇

Avançado

五里霧中暗中模索支離滅裂二の句が継げない呆然

Gramática essencial

Suru-verbs

当惑する (to perplex/be perplexed).

Causative form (saseru)

彼を当惑させる (to make him perplexed).

Noun + を隠せない

当惑を隠せない (cannot hide one's perplexity).

Noun + を覚える

当惑を覚える (to feel perplexity).

Adverbial 'nagara'

当惑しながら (while being perplexed).

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Exemplos por nível

彼は当惑しました。

He was perplexed.

Simple past tense of a suru-verb.

当惑した顔をしています。

He has a perplexed face.

Using a verb to describe a noun (顔).

私は少し当惑しています。

I am a little perplexed.

Present progressive form indicating a current state.

彼女は当惑して止まりました。

She was perplexed and stopped.

Using the 'te-form' to connect two actions.

先生の言葉に当惑しました。

I was perplexed by the teacher's words.

The particle 'ni' marks the cause of the perplexity.

みんな当惑しています。

Everyone is perplexed.

Subject 'minna' (everyone) with a state of being.

当惑しないでください。

Please don't be perplexed.

Negative request form 'naide kudasai'.

それは当惑するニュースです。

That is perplexing news.

Verb modifying a noun (news).

急な予定変更に、私は当惑しました。

I was perplexed by the sudden schedule change.

Marking the cause with 'ni'.

彼は当惑した様子で黙っていた。

He was silent, appearing perplexed.

Using 'yousu de' to describe the manner.

その質問は彼を当惑させた。

That question perplexed him.

Causative form 'saseta' (made him perplexed).

当惑の色が彼の顔に浮かんだ。

A look of perplexity appeared on his face.

Common literary phrase 'iro ga ukabu'.

どうすればいいか分からず、当惑した。

Not knowing what to do, I was perplexed.

Clause ending in 'zu' (without knowing).

彼の行動は、周囲を当惑させている。

His behavior is perplexing those around him.

Causative progressive 'sasete-iru'.

当惑しながらも、彼女は返事をした。

While being perplexed, she gave an answer.

Using 'nagara mo' (while/even though).

この説明書は当惑するほど難しい。

This manual is so difficult it's perplexing.

Using 'hodo' to show degree.

突然の告白に、彼女は当惑を隠せなかった。

She couldn't hide her perplexity at the sudden confession.

Potential negative 'kakusenai' (cannot hide).

政府の発表は、国民に当惑を与えた。

The government's announcement caused perplexity among the citizens.

Using 'ataeru' (to give/cause).

彼は自分のミスに気づき、当惑の色を隠した。

He noticed his mistake and hid his look of perplexity.

Connecting two clauses with the 'i-stem' (kizuki).

マニュアルの不備が、現場のスタッフを当惑させている。

The flaws in the manual are perplexing the staff on-site.

Causative form to show an external cause.

彼女の曖昧な返答に、私は少なからず当惑した。

I was more than a little perplexed by her vague reply.

Adverbial phrase 'sukunakarazu' (not a little/quite).

予想外の結末に、観客は当惑したようだ。

The audience seemed perplexed by the unexpected ending.

Using 'you da' (it seems).

当惑のあまり、言葉が出てこなかった。

I was so perplexed that the words wouldn't come out.

Using 'no amari' to show excessive emotion.

新制度の導入は、多くの当惑を招いた。

The introduction of the new system invited much perplexity.

Using 'maneku' (to invite/lead to).

彼の支離滅裂な弁明は、聴衆を当惑させるばかりだった。

His incoherent excuse only served to perplex the audience.

Using 'bakari da' to show 'only/nothing but'.

その事態の推移に、専門家たちも当惑の色を隠せない。

Even experts cannot hide their perplexity at the development of the situation.

The particle 'mo' (even) emphasizes the extent.

突然の解雇通知を受け、彼は当惑の極みにあった。

Receiving the sudden notice of dismissal, he was at the height of perplexity.

Phrase 'no kiwami' (the height/extreme of).

彼女の態度の急変は、私に深い当惑を覚えさせた。

The sudden change in her attitude made me feel deep perplexity.

Causative form 'oboe-saseta'.

当惑を禁じ得ない状況だが、冷静に対処しなければならない。

It's a situation where one cannot help but be perplexed, but we must handle it calmly.

Formal phrase 'o kinji-enai' (cannot help but...).

彼の沈黙は、肯定なのか否定なのか、周囲を当惑させた。

His silence perplexed those around him, unsure if it meant 'yes' or 'no'.

Using 'na no ka' for alternatives.

当惑した表情の裏に、彼は何かを隠しているようだった。

Behind his perplexed expression, he seemed to be hiding something.

Using 'no ura ni' (behind/underneath).

その矛盾した指示に、部下たちは当惑の色を浮かべている。

The subordinates are showing looks of perplexity at those contradictory instructions.

Adjective 'mujun shita' (contradictory).

その理論の根底にある矛盾を指摘され、彼は一瞬当惑した。

When the contradiction at the root of his theory was pointed out, he was momentarily perplexed.

Passive form 'shiteki sare' (being pointed out).

近代化の波の中で、伝統的な価値観は当惑を余儀なくされている。

Amidst the wave of modernization, traditional values are being forced into a state of perplexity.

Formal phrase 'o yoginaku sarete-iru' (being forced to...).

彼の当惑は、単なる驚きではなく、深い自己不信から来るものだった。

His perplexity was not mere surprise, but something stemming from deep self-doubt.

Using 'kara kuru mono' (something that comes from).

当惑の渦中にあっても、彼女は的確な判断を下した。

Even in the midst of perplexity, she made an accurate judgment.

Phrase 'no kachuu ni atte mo' (even while in the midst of).

その作品は、観る者に心地よい当惑を与える不思議な魅力がある。

The artwork has a mysterious charm that gives the viewer a pleasant sense of perplexity.

Modifying 'miru mono' (the viewer).

言葉の壁以上に、文化の相違が彼を当惑させた。

More than the language barrier, the cultural differences perplexed him.

Using 'ijou ni' (more than).

彼は、自らの当惑を悟られまいとして、わざと明るく振る舞った。

He acted bright on purpose, trying not to let his perplexity be noticed.

Negative volitional 'satoraremai' (trying not to be realized).

当惑が不信感へと変わる前に、丁寧な説明が必要だ。

Careful explanation is needed before perplexity turns into distrust.

Using 'eto kawaru' (to change into).

未曾有の事態を前にして、既存の倫理体系は当惑を禁じ得ない。

Faced with an unprecedented situation, existing ethical systems cannot help but be perplexed.

Highly formal 'o kinji-enai' with abstract subject.

彼の文章には、真理を追い求める者の当惑が滲み出ている。

In his writing, the perplexity of one who seeks the truth exudes.

Verb 'nijimidete-iru' (to exude/seep out).

当惑の淵に沈む彼を救い出したのは、一筋の希望だった。

What rescued him as he sank into the abyss of perplexity was a single ray of hope.

Metaphorical 'no fuchi ni shizumu' (sinking into the abyss of).

社会全体の当惑を代弁するかのように、その詩人は沈黙を守った。

As if to speak for the perplexity of society as a whole, the poet remained silent.

Using 'daiben suru' (to act as a spokesperson).

当惑というフィルターを通して世界を見ることで、新たな視点が得られる。

By viewing the world through the filter of perplexity, a new perspective can be gained.

Metaphorical 'filter' usage.

その決断の背景には、計り知れない当惑と葛藤があったに違いない。

Behind that decision, there must have been immeasurable perplexity and conflict.

Using 'ni chigai nai' (must have been).

当惑を糧にして成長する強さが、今の日本には求められている。

The strength to grow by using perplexity as nourishment is what is needed in Japan today.

Metaphorical 'kate' (nourishment/food).

存在の根源的な当惑を表現することこそが、芸術の使命である。

Expressing the fundamental perplexity of existence is the very mission of art.

Emphatic 'koso' (the very...).

Sinônimos

困惑 (Konwaku) 戸惑い (Tomadoi) 狼狽 (Rōbai) 混迷 (Konmei) 眩惑 (Genwaku) 困り果てる (Komari-hateru) 途方に暮れる (Tohō ni kureru) 疑念 (Ginen)

Antônimos

納得 (Nattoku) 確信 (Kakushin) 平然 (Heizen) 冷静 (Reisei)

Colocações comuns

当惑の色

当惑を隠せない

当惑を招く

当惑させる

深い当惑

当惑を覚える

当惑の極み

一瞬の当惑

当惑を禁じ得ない

周囲を当惑させる

Frases Comuns

当惑の色を隠せない

— Unable to hide a look of bewilderment. Often used in news reporting.

住民は当惑の色を隠せない。

少なからず当惑する

— To be more than a little perplexed. A polite way to say you are quite confused.

その返答には少なからず当惑した。

当惑を覚える

— To feel a sense of perplexity. Focuses on the internal emotion.

不親切な対応に当惑を覚えた。

当惑の渦に巻き込まれる

— To be caught in a whirlpool of perplexity. Used for chaotic situations.

組織全体が当惑の渦に巻き込まれた。

当惑しながらも

— While being perplexed. Used when someone continues an action despite confusion.

当惑しながらも、指示に従った。

当惑の色を浮かべる

— To show a look of perplexity on one's face.

彼は当惑の色を浮かべて私を見た。

当惑を招く事態

— A situation that causes perplexity.

当惑を招く事態となってしまった。

当惑を禁じ得ない

— Cannot help but feel perplexed. Very formal.

その決定には当惑を禁じ得ない。

当惑の表情

— A perplexed facial expression.

彼女は当惑の表情で立ち尽くした。

当惑しきっている

— To be completely and utterly perplexed.

彼はその問題に当惑しきっている。

Frequentemente confundido com

当惑 vs 混乱 (Konran)

Konran is about chaos or a messy state, while tōwaku is about mental perplexity.

当惑 vs 迷惑 (Meiwaku)

Meiwaku means a nuisance or trouble caused to others. Sounds similar but unrelated.

当惑 vs 疑惑 (Giwaku)

Giwaku is suspicion or doubt, whereas tōwaku is just being puzzled.

Expressões idiomáticas

"途方に暮れる"

— To be at a complete loss; to not know what to do. Similar to tōwaku but more dramatic.

財布をなくして途方に暮れる。

Neutral

"二の句が継げない"

— To be at a loss for words (often due to surprise or perplexity).

彼のあまりの暴言に二の句が継げなかった。

Neutral

"鳩が豆鉄砲を食ったよう"

— To look blankly surprised/perplexed, like a pigeon hit by a bean-shooter.

彼は鳩が豆鉄砲を食ったような顔をしていた。

Informal

"狐につままれたよう"

— To feel bewitched or completely baffled, as if tricked by a fox.

狐につままれたような気分で当惑している。

Informal

"開いた口が塞がらない"

— One's jaw drops (due to shock or perplexity).

彼の無責任な態度に開いた口が塞がらない。

Neutral

"面食らう"

— To be taken aback or confused by a sudden event.

突然の指名に面食らってしまった。

Informal

"五里霧中"

— To be totally at a loss, as if in a thick fog.

解決策が見つからず、五里霧中の状態だ。

Formal

"呆気に取られる"

— To be taken aback; to be blank with surprise/perplexity.

あまりの美しさに呆気に取られた。

Neutral

"首をかしげる"

— To tilt one's head in doubt or perplexity.

その説明を聞いて、みんな首をかしげた。

Neutral

"暗中模索"

— Groping in the dark; trying to find a solution in a state of perplexity.

新事業はまだ暗中模索の段階だ。

Formal

Fácil de confundir

当惑 vs 困惑 (Konwaku)

Both mean perplexity.

Konwaku emphasizes being 'troubled' or 'distressed' (困), whereas tōwaku is more about being 'at a loss' (当).

返答に困惑する (puzzled and troubled).

当惑 vs 戸惑う (Tomadou)

Both describe hesitation/confusion.

Tomadou is more casual and used for daily life hesitations (e.g., new tech). Tōwaku is formal and situational.

新しいスマホに戸惑う。

当惑 vs 狼狽 (Rōbai)

Both are reactions to the unexpected.

Rōbai is 'panic' or 'losing one's cool completely.' Tōwaku is just 'being puzzled.'

嘘がバレて狼狽する。

当惑 vs 困る (Komaru)

Perplexity often leads to trouble.

Komaru is about the difficulty of the situation. Tōwaku is about the internal mental puzzle.

お金がなくて困る。

当惑 vs 驚く (Odoroku)

Perplexity often starts with surprise.

Odoroku is the initial shock. Tōwaku is the state of confusion that follows the shock.

ニュースを聞いて驚く。

Padrões de frases

[Cause] に当惑しました。

難しい質問に当惑しました。

[Person] は当惑を隠せなかった。

彼女は当惑を隠せなかった。

[Cause] は [Person] を当惑させた。

そのニュースは私を当惑させた。

当惑の色を浮かべて [Action]。

当惑の色を浮かべて立ち去った。

当惑のあまり、[Result]。

当惑のあまり、何も言えなかった。

当惑を禁じ得ない。

その決定には当惑を禁じ得ない。

当惑の極みにある。

彼は今、当惑の極みにある。

当惑の淵に沈む。

当惑の淵に沈む人々を救う。

Família de palavras

Substantivos

当惑 (Perplexity)

困惑 (Troubled perplexity)

惑い (Hesitation/Delusion)

Verbos

当惑する (To be perplexed)

惑わす (To mislead/confuse someone)

惑う (To be puzzled/to stray)

Adjetivos

当惑げな (Perplexed-looking - rare)

疑わしい (Suspicious/Doubtful)

Relacionado

迷惑 (Nuisance)

誘惑 (Temptation)

疑惑 (Suspicion)

惑星 (Planet - 'wandering star')

思惑 (Speculation/Intention)

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Como usar

frequency

High in written media, medium-high in formal speech.

Erros comuns

Using 当惑 for a difficult math problem. → 難しい / 分からない
当惑 is for situational/social perplexity, not academic difficulty.
Saying '財布を忘れて当惑した' (I forgot my wallet and was perplexed). → 困った (komatta)
Forgetting a wallet is a 'trouble' (komaru), not a 'puzzle' (tōwaku).
Confusing 当惑 (tōwaku) with 迷惑 (meiwaku). → 当惑 (perplexity) vs 迷惑 (nuisance)
They sound similar but 'meiwaku' means you are being a bother to others.
Using 当惑 in a very casual chat about lunch. → 迷う (mayou) / 戸惑う (tomadou)
当惑 is too formal for deciding what to eat.
Writing the kanji 惑 without the heart (心) radical. → 惑
The heart radical is essential to the meaning of 'confusion' as an emotion.

Dicas

Use in Writing

When writing a formal report about a project delay, use '当惑' to describe the team's reaction to unclear instructions.

Social Perplexity

Remember that '当惑' often implies a social context—you are perplexed by *someone* or *some event*.

Particle Choice

Always use 'ni' for the cause: [Cause] に当惑する.

Formal Synonyms

Learn '困惑' (konwaku) alongside '当惑' to increase your formal vocabulary range.

News Watching

Watch NHK News; you will hear '当惑' almost every day in reports about public sentiment.

Kanji Practice

Practice writing '惑' (waku) as it appears in many other useful words like '迷惑' (meiwaku).

Polite Disagreement

Use '当惑しています' as a polite way to signal that you find someone's suggestion strange or unworkable.

Literary Context

In novels, look for '当惑の色を浮かべる' to understand how characters are feeling without explicit dialogue.

Tone of Voice

When saying '当惑しました,' use a slightly rising intonation to sound more natural.

Brain Hack

Link 'Tōwaku' to 'Total-Walk'—you are walking in circles because you are so puzzled!

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'TO-WAKU'. You 'TO-tally' don't know 'WAK-u' (what) is going on. You are perplexed!

Associação visual

Visualize a person standing in front of a giant '?' sign that just fell from the sky and hit them (当 - hit).

Word Web

Confusion Embarrassment Social Awkwardness Baffled At a loss Puzzled News Literature

Desafio

Try to find one news article today in Japanese that uses '当惑' and translate the context.

Origem da palavra

The word is composed of two kanji: 当 (tō) and 惑 (waku). 当 historically means 'to hit' or 'to encounter.' 惑 means 'to be confused' or 'to go astray.'

Significado original: To encounter confusion or to be struck by a deluded state.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Contexto cultural

It is a safe, polite word. It does not imply anger, only confusion.

English speakers often use 'confused' for everything from math problems to social awkwardness. In Japanese, 'tōwaku' specifically targets the social/situational bafflement.

Frequently used in the works of Natsume Soseki to describe the internal states of his protagonists. Commonly found in 'Detective Conan' when the police are baffled by a trick. Used in official government apologies to describe the 'confusion' caused to the public.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Sudden News

当惑が広がっている
当惑の色を隠せない
説明を求める声
突然の発表

Business Meetings

当惑させてしまい申し訳ありません
指示が不明確で当惑している
意図が分からず当惑する
現場の当惑

Social Awkwardness

当惑した顔をする
返答に当惑する
沈黙に当惑を覚える
冗談に当惑する

Literature/Storytelling

深い当惑に陥る
当惑の極み
当惑の色を浮かべる
悟られまいとする当惑

Legal/Official

当惑を招く表現
当惑を禁じ得ない
国民の当惑
混乱と当惑

Iniciadores de conversa

"最近のニュースで、当惑したことはありますか？ (Is there any recent news that perplexed you?)"

"言葉の壁で当惑した経験はありますか？ (Have you ever been perplexed by a language barrier?)"

"突然の予定変更に当惑したとき、どうしますか？ (What do you do when you're perplexed by a sudden schedule change?)"

"日本の文化で一番当惑したことは何ですか？ (What has perplexed you most about Japanese culture?)"

"相手を当惑させてしまったことはありますか？ (Have you ever accidentally perplexed someone else?)"

Temas para diário

今日、一番当惑した瞬間について詳しく書いてください。 (Write in detail about the moment you were most perplexed today.)

「当惑」と「困惑」の違いについて、自分の経験を交えて考察してください。 (Reflect on the difference between 'tōwaku' and 'konwaku' using your experiences.)

もし突然、知らない国に一人でいたら、どのような当惑を感じると思いますか？ (If you were suddenly alone in an unknown country, what kind of perplexity would you feel?)

他人の行動に当惑したとき、あなたはそれを顔に出しますか？それとも隠しますか？ (When perplexed by others' actions, do you show it on your face or hide it?)

当惑を乗り越えるための自分なりの方法をリストアップしてください。 (List your own ways to overcome perplexity.)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

It is generally neutral to slightly negative. It describes a state of confusion, which is usually not pleasant, but it isn't as 'bad' as being angry or panicked. It's often used to describe a professional or polite state of being puzzled.

You can, but it might sound a bit stiff or dramatic. '戸惑う' (tomadou) or just 'bikkuri shita' (was surprised) are more natural for casual conversations with friends.

'当惑' (tōwaku) is a mental state of being puzzled by a specific event. '混乱' (konran) refers to general chaos, disorder, or a messy situation (like a traffic jam or a disorganized mind).

It's 惑. It has the 'or' radical (或) on top and 'heart' (心) on the bottom. Think of your heart being 'this or that'—it's confused!

Usually no. For a hard math problem, you would use 'muzukashii' or 'wakaranai'. '当惑' is for when the *nature* of the question is strange or unexpected (e.g., a math exam asking about your favorite color).

Yes, very often! Especially in serious scenes or when a character is trying to figure out a villain's true motives.

Usually '当惑する' (to be perplexed). '当惑させる' is used when *something else* makes you perplexed (to cause perplexity).

It literally means 'the color of perplexity,' but it's a fixed expression meaning 'a look of perplexity' on someone's face.

It is gender-neutral. Both men and women use it equally, especially in professional or written contexts.

Yes, '当惑' can include a nuance of being socially embarrassed or 'put on the spot' because you don't know how to react.

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