あたふた

あたふた
adverb
in a fluster; hurriedly; frantically
onomatopoeiaemotion
1. in a fluster; hurriedly; in a panic
An onomatopoeic adverb describing a state of flustered, panicky movement, rushing about without composure.
あたふたと準備(じゅんび)する。
To prepare in a fluster.
電車(でんしゃ)の時間(じかん)に遅(おく)れそうで、あたふた走(はし)った。
I was about to miss the train, so I ran about frantically.
急(きゅう)な来客(らいきゃく)に、母(はは)はあたふたと部屋(へや)を片付(かたづ)け始(はじ)めた。
Caught off guard by unexpected guests, my mother frantically started tidying up the room.

An onomatopoeic adverb (オノマトペ) conveying the image of someone rushing around in a flustered, disorganized manner. Often used with the particle と.

Usage

  • あたふたする (to be in a fluster — used as a suru verb)
  • あたふたと (in a fluster — used as an adverb modifying a verb)

Common collocations

Similar words

  • おろおろ — being at a loss, confused and helpless (less action-oriented, more standing in bewilderment)
  • ばたばた — rushing about busily (can be neutral busy-ness, not necessarily panicked)
  • そわそわ — restlessly, fidgeting (anxiety-based rather than action-based)
  • 大慌(おおあわ)て — great panic (noun describing the same state)

Related Words

Compare: おろおろ (being at a loss, confused and helpless)
Compare: ばたばた (rushing about busily)
Compare: そわそわ (restlessly, fidgeting)
Compare: 大慌(おおあわ)て (great panic)
general
Added 2026.3.30 4:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
20500/20601_atafuta