(ぼうぜん)

ぼうぜん
taru-adjective / to-adverb
dazed, stunned, in a daze
1. dazed, stunned, in a daze
Being in a state of mental blankness or confusion, often from shock or overwhelming circumstances.
茫然(ぼうぜん)()()くす。
To stand dazed.
事故(じこ)現場(げんば)茫然(ぼうぜん)としていた。
I was in a daze at the accident scene.
彼女(かのじょ)茫然(ぼうぜん)自失(じしつ)状態(じょうたい)だった。
She was in a state of complete shock.
火事(かじ)(いえ)(うしな)い、茫然(ぼうぜん)として(なに)(かんが)えられなかった。
Having lost my home in the fire, I was so dazed I couldn't think of anything.

茫然(ぼうぜん) describes a blank, dazed state often resulting from shock or loss. The character (ぼう) suggests vagueness or vastness.

Common patterns:

  • 茫然(ぼうぜん)とする: to be dazed
  • 茫然(ぼうぜん)()()くす: to stand stunned
  • 茫然(ぼうぜん)自失(じしつ): completely dazed (set phrase)

Related terms:

  • 唖然(あぜん): dumbfounded, speechless
  • 呆然(ぼうぜん): blank, dazed (variant)
  • 放心(ほうしん): absent-minded, distracted