思わず
Meanings
1
unconsciously; involuntarily; without thinking
Describes an action or reaction that happens before one is aware of it, often driven by emotion or instinct. Common in spoken and written Japanese.
I couldn't help but cry at the final scene of that movie.
I laughed involuntarily at his joke.
Usage patterns
- 思わず〈動詞〉to do something involuntarily/without thinking
It was so funny that I couldn't help laughing.
- 思わず声を出すto let out a sound/exclamation involuntarily
I was so surprised that I let out a gasp before I could stop myself.
- 思わず涙が出るto tear up unconsciously
Hearing that story, I found myself tearing up.
- 思わず手を伸ばすto instinctively reach out one's hand
The cake looked so delicious that I instinctively reached for it.