Translation guide
This phrase describes a state of emotional discomfort where a person feels restless, awkward, or at a loss, often due to embarrassment, boredom, or anxiety. Japanese expresses this through various idiomatic phrases and verbs that convey not having a place, not knowing how to act, or feeling unsettled.
The person feels self-conscious, out of place, or doesn't know what to do with their body or emotions in a social situation.
Literally 'there is no place to be'. It expresses the feeling of not belonging or not knowing where to put oneself, often due to awkwardness.
パーティーで誰も知り合いがいなくて、居場所がなかった。
At the party, I didn't know anyone and didn't know what to do with myself.
Means 'not knowing what to do'. It's a very common way to express being at a loss, covering awkwardness, confusion, or helplessness.
彼に怒られて、どうしていいかわからなかった。
He got angry at me and I didn't know what to do with myself.
Describes the feeling of not knowing what to do with one's hands or being idle and restless, often in social situations.
待ち時間が長くて、手持ち無沙汰だった。
The wait was so long, I didn't know what to do with myself.
Literally 'there is no place to put oneself'. A more literary expression for feeling extremely awkward or ashamed, as if you want to disappear.
自分の失敗が恥ずかしくて、身の置き所がなかった。
I was so embarrassed by my mistake, I didn't know what to do with myself.
The person has nothing to do and feels fidgety, impatient, or unable to settle down.
Means 'having nothing to do and being troubled by it'. It directly conveys the restlessness of not knowing how to occupy oneself.
休みの日は、することがなくて困る。
On my days off, I don't know what to do with myself.
Literally 'to have too much free time and not know what to do with it'. It implies boredom and restlessness.
夏休みに暇を持て余している。
I have so much free time during summer vacation, I don't know what to do with myself.
An onomatopoeic word meaning to be restless or fidgety, often because you don't know what to do or are waiting for something.
何もすることがなくて、そわそわしてしまう。
With nothing to do, I end up not knowing what to do with myself.
The person is emotionally overwhelmed and doesn't know how to cope or what action to take.
Means to be stunned or dumbfounded, often to the point of not knowing what to do next.
突然の知らせに呆然として、何もできなかった。
I was so stunned by the sudden news, I didn't know what to do with myself.
Means to be at a complete loss, not knowing what to do or where to turn, often from despair.
財布をなくして途方に暮れた。
I lost my wallet and didn't know what to do with myself.
「どうしていいかわからない」 is a general expression for not knowing what action to take, while 「居場所がない」 specifically conveys a lack of belonging or social awkwardness. Use the former for confusion or helplessness, and the latter for feeling out of place in a group.
初めての場所でどうしていいかわからなかった。
I didn't know what to do in a new place.
みんなが楽しそうで、居場所がなかった。
Everyone seemed to be having fun, and I didn't know what to do with myself.
Avoid directly translating 'not knowing what to do with oneself' word-for-word. Phrases like 「自分をどうしていいかわからない」 are unnatural. Use the idiomatic expressions provided instead.