迷(まよ)う

まよう
godan verb
to be lost, to hesitate
1. to get lost, to lose one's way
To not know where one is or how to proceed.
道(みち)に迷(まよ)った。
I got lost.
初(はじ)めての場所(ばしょ)で迷(まよ)った。
I got lost in a place I'd never been before.
地図(ちず)を見(み)ないで歩(ある)いたら、迷(まよ)ってしまった。
I walked without looking at a map and got lost.
2. to be puzzled, to hesitate
To be uncertain about a decision.
どちらにしようか迷(まよ)っている。
I'm torn between the two.
答(こた)えに迷(まよ)った。
I was at a loss for an answer.
行(い)くか行(い)かないか、まだ迷(まよ)っている。
I'm still undecided about whether to go or not.

迷(まよ)う describes being lost (physically) or uncertain/hesitant (mentally).

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive)

ASPECT (ている):
迷(まよ)っている indicates an ongoing state of being lost or indecisive: まだ迷(まよ)っている (I'm still undecided).

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 道(みち)に迷(まよ)う: to get lost (on the way)
  • 〜か〜か迷(まよ)う: to be torn between ~ and ~
  • 迷(まよ)わず: without hesitation
  • 答(こた)えに迷(まよ)う: to be at a loss for an answer

RELATED WORDS:

  • 迷(まよ)い: hesitation, doubt, wavering
  • 迷子(まいご): lost child
  • 迷(めい)惑(わく): trouble, annoyance, nuisance
  • 迷信(めいしん): superstition

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 悩(なや)む: to be troubled, worried (deeper emotional struggle)
  • 迷(まよ)う: to be unsure, hesitant (about a choice)
general
Added 2026.1.9 17:57 · Revised 2026.2.23 11:30
02000/02426_mayou