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立ち迷う (たちまよう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

立たち迷まよう

た

ち

ま

よ

う

Meanings

1

godan verb (-u), intransitive verb

drift along; wander aimlessly; be lost

Describes a state of drifting without direction, often used for physical wandering or mental confusion. Can imply being lost in thought or indecision.

彼かれは森もりの中なかで立たち迷まよってしまった。
He got lost wandering in the forest.
進しん路ろに立

た

ち

迷まよ

う

若わか

者もの

は

多おお

い

。

Many young people drift along, unsure of their path.

Kanji

立stand up, rise, set up
迷astray, be perplexed, in doubt

Similar words

迷まよう
迷う is a general verb for being lost or indecisive. 立ち迷う adds a nuance of drifting or lingering in that state, often with a sense of aimlessness.
彷徨さまよう
彷徨う emphasizes physical wandering, often with a poetic or literary tone. 立ち迷う can be used for both physical and mental drifting, and is less literary.

Etymology

Compound of 立ち (tachi, continuative form of 立つ 'to stand') and 迷う (mayou 'to be lost'). The prefix 立ち- often adds a sense of 'starting to' or 'being in a state of', giving the nuance of drifting or lingering in confusion.