Translation guide
The feeling of being confused, puzzled, or unable to understand something. In Japanese, this is often expressed through nouns like 困惑 (confusion/perplexity) or 当惑 (embarrassed bewilderment), verbs like 戸惑う (to be bewildered), or descriptive phrases. The choice depends on the nuance: mental confusion, social awkwardness, or being at a loss.
Expressing a state of being confused, puzzled, or unable to make sense of something.
The most common and neutral noun for bewilderment, confusion, or perplexity. Often used with する to mean 'to be bewildered'.
彼の突然の辞職に、社員は困惑した。
The employees were bewildered by his sudden resignation.
その質問には困惑するばかりだ。
I can only feel bewildered by that question.
A noun for bewilderment or being at a loss, often with a nuance of not knowing how to react. The verb form is 戸惑う.
初めての海外生活で戸惑いを感じた。
I felt bewildered during my first time living abroad.
彼女は突然のプロポーズに戸惑った。
She was bewildered by the sudden proposal.
Bewilderment with a sense of embarrassment or not knowing what to do, often in social situations. Used with する.
彼の失礼な発言に当惑した。
I was bewildered (and embarrassed) by his rude remark.
A common casual phrase meaning 'I don't understand what's going on' or 'it makes no sense', conveying bewilderment.
何が何だかわけがわからない。
I have no idea what's going on; I'm completely bewildered.
Literally 'confusion' or 'disorder'. Can be used for mental bewilderment, but often implies a more chaotic state of mind or situation.
あまりの情報量に頭が混乱した。
My mind was bewildered by the sheer amount of information.
Expressing bewilderment that leaves one speechless or unsure how to proceed.
Literally 'to lose words', meaning to be so bewildered or shocked that one is speechless.
その光景に言葉を失った。
I was speechless with bewilderment at the sight.
A common phrase meaning 'I don't know what to do', expressing bewilderment about the appropriate action.
突然のことで、どうしていいかわからなかった。
It was so sudden that I was bewildered and didn't know what to do.
A state of being dumbfounded or stunned, often with a blank expression. Used as 呆然とする.
Expressing confusion caused by something intricate, unfamiliar, or bizarre.
To be taken aback or bewildered by something unexpected or strange. Casual.
彼の変わりように面食らった。
I was bewildered by how much he had changed.
困惑 is general mental confusion or perplexity. 当惑 adds a nuance of embarrassment or social awkwardness. 戸惑い emphasizes being at a loss about how to react or proceed, often in new situations.
There is no single Japanese noun that perfectly matches 'bewilderment' in all contexts. Using 困惑 as a direct translation is often safe, but in casual speech, phrases like わけがわからない or どうしていいかわからない are more natural.
彼はその奇妙な機械を困惑した様子で見つめた。
He stared in bewilderment at the strange machine.
困惑したことに、みんなが笑い出した。
To my bewilderment, everyone started laughing.
彼は呆然として立ち尽くした。
He stood there in bewilderment, dumbfounded.
An idiom meaning to be bewitched or utterly bewildered, as if a fox has cast a spell on you. Used for situations that are inexplicable.
その話を聞いて、狐につままれたような気分だった。
Hearing that story, I felt utterly bewildered (as if bewitched by a fox).