思(おも)わず

おもわず
adverb
unintentionally, involuntarily
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:

  • 思(おも)わず〜してしまう (to end up doing ~ unintentionally)
  • 思(おも)わず笑(わら)う (to laugh involuntarily)
  • 思(おも)わず声(こえ)を出(だ)す (to cry out unintentionally)

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • 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)
core
Added 2026.1.11 18:56 · Revised 2026.3.25 12:10
02500/02549_omowazu