迷
astray, be perplexed, in doubt, lost, err, illusion
Readings
On'yomi
- メイ
Kun'yomi
- まよ.う
Meaning
迷 centers on losing one's way, whether physically, mentally, or morally: being lost, astray, perplexed, in doubt, or caught in illusion.
Most common words using 迷
20 of 103- 迷惑めいわくN3
trouble; bother; annoyance; nuisance; inconvenience
- 迷うまようN3
to lose one's way; to get lost; to go astray
- 迷いまよいN3
hesitation; bewilderment; perplexity; doubt; indecision
- 迷子まいごN3
lost child; lost person; stray child; missing child
- 迷宮めいきゅう
labyrinth; maze
- 低迷ていめいN1
hanging low (of clouds)
- 迷彩めいさい
camouflage; disguise
- 迷路めいろN1
maze; labyrinth
- 迷走めいそう
straying; wandering (off course)
- 迷信めいしんN2
superstition; superstitious belief
- 混迷こんめいN1
turmoil; chaos; confusion
- 血迷うちまよう
to lose one's mind; to lose control of oneself
- 迷い込むまよいこむ
to stray into; to lose one's way (and enter); to wander into
- 迷言めいげん
meaningless or stupid turn of phrase that at first glance resembles a wise saying; silly saying; nonsensical proverb
- 頑迷がんめい
bigoted; obstinate; stubborn; pigheaded
- はた迷惑はためいわく
nuisance to other people; inconvenience to others
- ありがた迷惑ありがためいわく
unwelcome favor; unwelcome favour; misplaced kindness
- 迷い子まよいご
lost child; stray child
- 迷惑行為めいわくこうい
disruptive behaviour; harassment; abusive behaviour
- 迷わすまよわす
to puzzle; to perplex; to bewilder; to delude; to mislead; to fascinate
Study
Etymology
迷 combines 辶 (movement) with 米, which likely contributes the sound and suggests something like grains scattering, leading to the idea of losing direction.
Meaning mnemonic
The movement radical 辶 wraps around 米 (rice). Imagine walking while scattering rice grains, losing your path and becoming completely lost.
Reading mnemonic
For メイ, picture a lost traveler wandering through a maze: maze -> メイ, and the maze keeps them astray.