慌てる・周章てる|あわてるawateru[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
慌てる慌てる is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners; use it when writing the word in Japanese.
周章てる周章てる is a rarely used kanji-and-kana variant, so learners will seldom need to write it; recognize 慌てる as the preferred choice.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto become confused (disconcerted, disorganized, disorganised); to be flustered; to panic
- ichidan verb, intransitive verbto hurry; to rush; to hastenusu. 慌てて
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 慌てる（あわてる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 慌てます（あわてます） |
| Negative (nai) | 慌てない（あわてない） |
| polite (masen) | 慌てません（あわてません） |
| classical zu / nu | 慌てず・慌てぬ（あわてず・あわてぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 慌てた（あわてた） |
| polite (mashita) | 慌てました（あわてました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 慌てなかった（あわてなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 慌てませんでした（あわてませんでした） |
| Te form | 慌てて（あわてて） |
| Potential | 慌てられる（あわてられる） |
| Passive | 慌てられる（あわてられる） |
| Causative | 慌てさせる（あわてさせる） |
| Causative passive | 慌てさせられる（あわてさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 慌てれば（あわてれば） |
| tara | 慌てたら（あわてたら） |
| Volitional | 慌てよう（あわてよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 慌てましょう（あわてましょう） |
| Imperative | 慌てろ（あわてろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym狼狽ろうばいWrittenWritten Sino-Japanese word, used as 「狼狽する」: being thrown into confusion by something unexpected. Covers panic only — it lacks the hurry/rush sense of 「慌てる」.
- Synonym慌てふためくあわてふためくNeutralFlailing about in a panic, all in a scramble — a stronger reaction than 「慌てる」. Not used for simply rushing to get something done.
- SynonymパニクるCasualSlang verb clipped from 「パニック」: being so flustered you can't think what to do. Covers panic only, not the hurry side of 「慌てる」.
- SynonymパニックるCasualColloquial slang formed by adding 「る」 straight onto 「パニック」; same meaning as 「パニクる」. Panic only — no hurry sense.
- RelatedおたおたするCasualColloquial: being at a loss, not knowing what to do. Leans toward mental flusteredness — unlike 「慌てる」, it can't refer to hurrying.
- Antonym落ち着くおちつくNeutralAntonym: regaining or keeping one's calm — the opposite of 「慌てる」 losing composure. Also used for a situation or one's life settling down.
- Antonym冷静れいせいNeutralAntonym: composed and level-headed, as in 「冷静に対処する」「冷静になる」 — the opposite of 「慌てる」's panicked fluster.
Use 「慌てる」 for panicking or rushing when something catches you off guard. For wilder, chaotic panic say 「慌てふためく」; in written prose 「狼狽」; colloquially 「パニクる」「パニックる」 or 「おたおたする」. Antonyms: 「落ち着く」, 「冷静」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
