霧中(むちゅう)

むちゅう
noun
in fog; in a fog; groping in the dark
1. in fog; surrounded by fog
Literally being inside fog, with poor visibility.
船(ふね)は霧中(むちゅう)を進(すす)んだ。
The ship proceeded through the fog.
霧中(むちゅう)の航行(こうこう)は危険(きけん)だ。
Sailing in fog is dangerous.
霧中(むちゅう)では前方(ぜんぽう)がほとんど見(み)えなくなる。
In the fog, you can barely see ahead.
2. in a fog; groping in the dark; uncertain
Figuratively, a state of confusion or uncertainty where the way forward is unclear.
捜査(そうさ)は霧中(むちゅう)の状態(じょうたい)だ。
The investigation is in a state of fog.
解決策(かいけつさく)が見(み)つからず霧中(むちゅう)にいる。
We can't find a solution and are groping in the dark.
交渉(こうしょう)は霧中(むちゅう)の状態(じょうたい)が続(つづ)いており、先行(せんこう)きが見(み)えない。
The negotiations remain in a fog, and the outlook is unclear.

Composed of 霧(きり) (fog) + 中(ちゅう) (inside). Not to be confused with the homophone 夢中(むちゅう) (absorbed in, crazy about), which has completely different kanji and meaning.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 霧中(むちゅう)を進(すす)む: to advance through fog
  • 霧中(むちゅう)の航行(こうこう): navigation in fog
  • 霧中(むちゅう)にある: to be in a fog (figurative)
  • 五里霧中(ごりむちゅう): completely in the dark (idiomatic expression)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 五里霧中(ごりむちゅう): lost in a deep fog — an intensified idiomatic expression meaning total confusion
  • 暗中模索(あんちゅうもさく): groping in the dark — searching for answers without any leads
  • 夢中(むちゅう): absorbed in, crazy about — homophone with unrelated meaning
general
Added 2026.4.20 22:17
24500/24734_muchuu