迷う・紕う|まようmayou[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
迷う迷う（まよう） is the more common written form and the one beginners should use; it combines kanji and kana and is the form learners are most likely to encounter.
紕う紕う（まよう） is a rarely used kanji-and-kana variant; learners will seldom encounter it, so beginners should not choose it by default.
Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto lose one's way; to get lost; to go astray
- godan verb, intransitive verbto waver; to hesitate; to vacillate; to be of two minds (about); to be unable to make up one's mind; to not know what to do; to be at a loss; to be puzzled; to be perplexed
- godan verb, intransitive verbto be captivated (by); to be infatuated (with); to be charmed (by); to be carried away (by); to be blinded (by); to be lost (in); to lose oneself (to)
- godan verb, intransitive verbto linger (of a departed soul); to be restless in one's grave; to be unable to rest in peace
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 迷う（まよう） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 迷います（まよいます） |
| Negative (nai) | 迷わない（まよわない） |
| polite (masen) | 迷いません（まよいません） |
| classical zu / nu | 迷わず・迷わぬ（まよわず・まよわぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 迷った（まよった） |
| polite (mashita) | 迷いました（まよいました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 迷わなかった（まよわなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 迷いませんでした（まよいませんでした） |
| Te form | 迷って（まよって） |
| Potential | 迷える（まよえる） |
| Passive | 迷われる（まよわれる） |
| Causative | 迷わせる（まよわせる） |
| Causative passive | 迷わせられる・迷わされる（まよわせられる・まよわされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 迷えば（まよえば） |
| tara | 迷ったら（まよったら） |
| Volitional | 迷おう（まよおう） |
| polite (mashou) | 迷いましょう（まよいましょう） |
| Imperative | 迷え（まよえ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- RelatedさまようNeutralRefers to wandering about aimlessly, with the emphasis on the moving around itself; 「迷う」 centers on not finding the way or being unable to decide.
- Related思い惑うおもいまどうWrittenWritten style: mulling things over, confused and unsure what to do; psychological use only. In everyday speech 「迷う」 or 「悩む」 is enough.
- Related思い迷うおもいまようWrittenWritten style, specifically being unable to decide on a choice — the wavering sense of 「迷う」; it cannot express getting lost.
- Related惑うまどうWrittenAlso means getting lost, being confused, or being tempted, but is more literary and often appears in compounds like 「逃げ惑う」; alone, speech prefers 「迷う」.
For everyday getting lost or hesitating, use 「迷う」. For wandering aimlessly, use 「彷徨う」. In written prose for inner confusion or hesitation, 「思い迷う」 and 「惑う」 fit; in speech, stick with 「迷う」.
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
