やみくもに

やみくもに
adverb
blindly; recklessly; indiscriminately; without thinking
descriptive
1. blindly; recklessly; indiscriminately; without thinking
Describes acting without any plan, forethought, or direction, implying that the approach is unwise and unlikely to produce good results.
やみくもに走(はし)り出(だ)した。
I broke into a blind run.
やみくもに努力(どりょく)しても結果(けっか)は出(で)ない。
Effort without direction won't produce results.
情報(じょうほう)を集(あつ)めずにやみくもに行動(こうどう)すると、かえって状況(じょうきょう)を悪化(あっか)させることがある。
Acting recklessly without gathering information can actually make the situation worse.

An adverb meaning to act without plan, thought, or direction — blindly and recklessly. Written in kanji as 闇雲(やみくも)に, combining 闇(やみ) (darkness) and 雲(くも) (cloud), evoking the image of groping blindly through dark clouds.

Usage

  • Almost always used with a negative implication — acting this way is unwise
  • Modifies action verbs: やみくもに + verb
  • The na-adjective form やみくもな is also used: やみくもな行動(こうどう) (reckless action)

Common collocations

Similar words

  • むやみに: recklessly, thoughtlessly — very similar; slightly less vivid
  • めちゃくちゃに: in a completely disorderly way — more extreme and chaotic
  • がむしゃらに: desperately, single-mindedly — implies determined effort rather than aimlessness
  • 盲目的(もうもくてき)に: blindly — more formal; often used for beliefs or loyalty

Related Words

Compare: 無闇(むやみ)に (recklessly, thoughtlessly)
general
Added 2026.4.2 21:51 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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