迷走(めいそう)

めいそう
noun, suru-verb
straying; wandering aimlessly; going astray
1. straying; wandering aimlessly; going astray; erratic behavior
Moving or proceeding without clear direction, often making mistakes or wrong turns. Used for both physical movement and figurative situations like policies, projects, or careers that have lost their way.
台風(たいふう)が迷走(めいそう)している。
The typhoon is wandering erratically.
政策(せいさく)が迷走(めいそう)を続(つづ)けている。
The policy continues to flounder.
彼(かれ)のキャリアは迷走(めいそう)状態(じょうたい)にある。
His career is in a state of disarray.

KANJI BREAKDOWN:

  • 迷(めい) - to be lost, confused
  • 走(そう) - to run

The compound captures the image of running about aimlessly or in confusion.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 迷走(めいそう)する - to stray, to wander aimlessly
  • 迷走(めいそう)を続(つづ)ける - to continue wandering/floundering
  • 迷走(めいそう)状態(じょうたい) - state of disarray
  • 迷走(めいそう)気味(ぎみ) - tendency to stray

MEDICAL TERM:
迷走神経(めいそうしんけい) - vagus nerve
This is a specific anatomical term unrelated to the common meaning.

USAGE CONTEXTS:

  • 天気(てんき) - weather (typhoons with unpredictable paths)
  • 政治(せいじ)/政策(せいさく) - politics/policy
  • 経営(けいえい) - management
  • キャリア - career
  • 人生(じんせい) - life

NUANCE:

Almost always negative, implying:

  • Lack of direction or purpose
  • Poor decision-making
  • Confusion and ineffectiveness

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • 彷徨(ほうこう)う - to wander (literary)
  • 右往左往(うおうさおう) - moving about in confusion
  • 混迷(こんめい) - chaos, confusion

REGISTER:
Neutral. Common in news and everyday discussion.

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Added 2026.1.19 17:20 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
07000/07441_meisou