漠 然(ばくぜん)と

ばくぜんと

adverb, taru-adjective

vaguely; dimly; obscurely

1. vaguely; dimly; obscurely; in a hazy way

Describes a state where something is unclear, undefined, or lacking concrete form. Used for thoughts, feelings, memories, and impressions that are not sharply defined.

将来(しょうらい)のことを漠然(ばくぜん)と考(かんが)えている。

I'm vaguely thinking about the future.

漠然(ばくぜん)とした不安(ふあん)を感(かん)じていた。

I was feeling a vague sense of anxiety.

子供(こども)の頃(ころ)、漠然(ばくぜん)と海外(かいがい)で暮(く)らしたいと思(おも)っていたが、具体的(ぐたいてき)な計画(けいかく)はなかった。

When I was a child, I vaguely wanted to live abroad, but I had no concrete plans.

Usage

Also used as a たる-adjective (漠然(ばくぜん)たる) in literary contexts, and as a とした-adjective (漠然(ばくぜん)とした) which is more common in everyday use. The adverbial form 漠然(ばくぜん)と modifies verbs of thinking, feeling, and perceiving.

Common collocations

漠然(ばくぜん)とした不安(ふあん) (a vague anxiety)
漠然(ばくぜん)としたイメージ (a vague image)
漠然(ばくぜん)と感(かん)じる (to feel vaguely)
漠然(ばくぜん)と考(かんが)える (to think vaguely)

Similar words

ぼんやり: vaguely, absentmindedly — more colloquial; can also mean absent-minded or dazed
なんとなく: somehow, for some reason — more casual and conversational

Related Words

Compare: ぼんやり (vaguely, absentmindedly)

Compare: 何(なん)となく (somehow, for some reason)

Compare: 大(おお)まか (rough)

Compare: 朧(おぼろ)げ (faint)

general

Added 2026.3.20 21:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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