Japanese word

まごつく

Pronunciation

Romajimagotsuku

Meaning

  • verbbe confused

Example

初めての場所ではまごつきます。haji me te no ba sho de wa ma go tsu ki ma su

I get confused in a new place.

Illustration for まごつく (be confused)

More examples

複雑な案内を読んでまごつきました。fuku zatsu na an nai o yo n de ma go tsu ki ma shi ta

I got confused while reading the complicated instructions.

Core concept

Describes becoming unable to act smoothly when an unfamiliar situation makes the proper response unclear.

Common phrases

  • 操作でまごつくsō sa de ma go tsu ku

    get confused while operating something

  • 説明を読んでまごつくsetsu mei o yo n de ma go tsu ku

    get confused while reading the instructions

  • 返答にまごつくhen tō ni ma go tsu ku

    be at a loss for a reply

Similar words

戸惑うtomadou: To become uncertain about the proper response to a situation that is new or unexpected.
面食らうmenkurau: To become bewildered by something sudden or unexpected.
迷うmayou: To be unable to decide or find the right way forward.

Definition in Japanese

不慣れな状況で、どう対応すればよいか分からず、行動が滞る。fu na re na jō kyō de dō tai ō su re ba yo i ka wa ka ra zu kō dō ga todokō ru

Word origin

まごつく (magotsuku) is a native verb associated with まごまご (magomago), "being confused or flustered"; no more certain older origin is known.

Usage tips

  • The verb is natural for temporary confusion in practical situations, such as finding the right counter at a station, while a word for deep uncertainty suits questions or decisions better.

Other meanings

  • be at a lossverb
  • be flusteredverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word