Japanese word

困惑

Pronunciation

Romajikonwaku

Meaning

  • nounconfusion

Example

急な予定変更に困惑しました。kyū na yo tei hen kō ni kon waku shi ma shi ta

I was confused by the sudden change in plans.

Illustration for 困惑 (confusion)

More examples

説明が二転三転し、参加者の間に困惑が広がりました。setsu mei ga ni ten san ten shi san ka sha no aida ni kon waku ga hiro ga ri ma shi ta

As the explanation kept changing, confusion spread among the participants.

Core concept

Captures the state of being mentally unsettled because circumstances make a clear response difficult.

Common phrases

  • 困惑を覚えるkon waku o obo e ru

    feel confused

  • 困惑が広がるkon waku ga hiro ga ru

    confusion spreads

  • 困惑を示すkon waku o shime su

    show confusion

Similar words

当惑tōwaku: A state of uncertainty caused by an unexpected or difficult situation.
戸惑いtomadoi: A feeling of uncertainty when an unfamiliar situation makes the proper response unclear.
混乱konran: A state in which thoughts or information become disordered and difficult to understand.

Definition in Japanese

突然の事態などに出会い、判断や対応に迷う状態。totsu zen no ji tai na do ni de a i han dan ya tai ō ni mayo u jō tai

Word origin

困惑 (konwaku, "bewilderment") is a Sino-Japanese compound formed from 困 (kon, "distress") and 惑 (waku, "be puzzled").

Usage tips

  • Japanese reports often use 困惑した表情 (konwaku shita hyōjō, "a bewildered expression") for a visible reaction to sudden news.

Other meanings

  • bewildermentnoun
  • perplexitynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 困惑するkonwakusurube confusedverb

Word lists with this word