1.
way, means, direction
A method or course of action to achieve something. Most commonly appears in the expression 途方に暮れる (to be at a loss) or 途方もない (extraordinary, absurd).
途方に暮れる。
To be at a loss / at one's wit's end.
彼は途方に暮れた表情をしていた。
He had a bewildered expression on his face.
途方もない金額を請求された。
I was charged an outrageous amount.
急に仕事を失って途方に暮れている。
Having suddenly lost my job, I'm at a complete loss.
途方 rarely appears alone and is almost always used in set expressions.
Key expressions:
- 途方に暮れる: to be at a loss, to be perplexed (literally: to be benighted on one's path)
- 途方もない: extraordinary, absurd, outlandish
Usage notes:
- 途方に暮れる describes a state of not knowing what to do, often due to unexpected bad news or circumstances
- 途方もない can describe something impossibly large, distant, or unreasonable
Related words:
- 当惑する: to be perplexed
- 困惑する: to be bewildered
- 呆然とする: to be dazed