Japanese word

慌てる

Pronunciation

Romajiawateru

Meaning

  • verbbe flustered

Example

人前では慌てます。hito mae de wa awa te ma su

I get flustered in front of people.

Illustration for 慌てる (be flustered)

More examples

急な質問にも、慌てずに答えます。kyū na shitsu mon ni mo awa te zu ni kota e ma su

I answer unexpected questions without getting flustered.

Core concept

Describes losing calm and reacting in a hurried or confused way when a situation feels sudden or difficult.

Common phrases

  • 慌てて走り出すawa te te hashi ri da su

    run off in a panic

  • 慌てずに答えるawa te zu ni kota e ru

    answer calmly

  • 慌てて決めるawa te te ki me ru

    decide in a panic

Similar words

うろたえるurotaeru: To become confused and unsure of what to do in an unexpected situation.
取り乱すtorimidasu: To become so upset that calm behavior and clear thinking are lost.
焦るaseru: To feel that time or circumstances are pressing and become impatient.

Definition in Japanese

突然のことなどに心が落ち着かず、急いだり判断を誤ったりする。totsu zen no ko to na do ni kokoro ga o chi tsu ka zu iso i da ri han dan o ayama tta ri su ru

Word origin

慌てる (awateru) is a native Japanese verb that developed from 慌つ (awatsu, "to be flustered and hurry") as historical verb forms changed.

Usage tips

  • English panic often suggests intense fear, while 慌てる (awateru) can describe losing composure over a small mistake or sudden problem.

Other meanings

  • panicverb
  • become confusedverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 慌て者awatemonoflustered personnoun
  • 慌てぶりawateburiflustered behaviornoun

Word lists with this word