思(おも)わず

おもわず
adverb
unintentionally, involuntarily
descriptive
1. unintentionally, involuntarily, spontaneously
Doing something without meaning to; an action that happens reflexively or without conscious intention.
思(おも)わず笑(わら)ってしまった。
I couldn't help but laugh.
彼(かれ)の顔(かお)を見(み)て思(おも)わず泣(な)いた。
Seeing his face, I involuntarily cried.
おいしそうで思(おも)わず手(て)が伸(の)びた。
It looked so delicious that I involuntarily reached for it.
懐(なつ)かしい写真(しゃしん)を見(み)て、思(おも)わず涙(なみだ)が出(で)た。
Seeing the nostalgic photo, tears came to my eyes involuntarily.
値段(ねだん)を見(み)て思(おも)わず「高(たか)い！」と言(い)ってしまった。
I saw the price and couldn't help saying "Expensive\!"

思(おも)わず means 'unintentionally' or 'involuntarily.' It describes actions done without conscious intention.

Etymology

  • From 思(おも)う (to think) + ず (classical negative)
  • Literally: 'without thinking'

Common patterns

Similar words

  • つい: 'inadvertently, carelessly'
  • うっかり: 'carelessly, by mistake'
  • 思(おも)わず: emphasizes the involuntary nature of the action

Position: Usually appears right before the verb it modifies.

Related Words

Synonym: つい (inadvertently)
Compare: うっかり ('carelessly, by mistake')
Compare: ついうっかり (carelessly)
Compare: 不覚(ふかく)にも (unwittingly)
Compare: 無意識(むいしき)に (unconsciously, involuntarily)
core
Added 2026.1.11 18:56 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
02500/02549_omowazu