Chinese word

迷失

Pronunciation

Pinyinmí shī

Meaning

  • verbget lost

Example

我们在古镇的巷子里迷失了方向。wǒ men zài gǔ zhèn de xiàng zi lǐ mí shī le fāng xiàng

We got lost in the alleys of the old town.

Illustration for 迷失 (get lost)

More examples

他在压力下迷失了自我。tā zài yā lì xià mí shī le zì wǒ

He lost his sense of self under pressure.

Core concept

The body or mind loses the line that leads toward a place or purpose.

Common phrases

  • 迷失方向mí shī fāng xiàng

    lose one's sense of direction

  • 迷失自我mí shī zì wǒ

    lose oneself

Similar words

迷路mí lù: To lose one's way during a journey and not find the correct route.
走失zǒu shī: To become separated and have one's whereabouts no longer known.

Definition in Chinese

失去行进的方向或目标，既可指实际在路上迷路，也可指心理或行为上丧失目标。shī qù xíng jìn de fāng xiàng huò mù biāo jì kě zhǐ shí jì zài lù shàng mí lù yě kě zhǐ xīn lǐ huò xíng wéi shàng sàng shī mù biāo

Word origin

迷 (mí, "be lost or confused") + 失 (shī, "lose") forms a compound for losing one's way or sense of direction, which extends naturally from travel to aims in life.

Usage tips

  • Chinese can use this verb when a person no longer knows what to pursue, while English often expresses that broader meaning with wording about purpose or direction.

Opposites

Related words

  • 迷失感mí shī gǎnfeeling of being lostnoun

Word lists with this word