茫然(ぼうぜん)

ぼうぜん
taru-adjective / to-adverb
dazed, stunned, in a daze
formalemotiondescriptive
See also: 呆然(ぼうぜん) (dumbfounded, stunned)
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)と立(た)ち尽(つ)くす。
To stand dazed.
事故(じこ)の現場(げんば)で茫然(ぼうぜん)としていた。
I was in a daze at the accident scene.
彼女(かのじょ)は茫然(ぼうぜん)自失(じしつ)の状態(じょうたい)だった。
She was in a state of complete shock.
火事(かじ)で家(いえ)を失(うしな)い、茫然(ぼうぜん)として何(なに)も考(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 茫(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)と立(た)ち尽(つ)くす: to stand stunned
  • 茫然(ぼうぜん)自失(じしつ): completely dazed (set phrase)

Related terms

Related Words

Synonym: 唖然(あぜん) (dumbfounded, speechless)
general
Added 2026.2.1 18:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
09000/09405_bouzen