Readings: ワク (Onyomi), まど, まどー (Kunyomi)
Meaning: bewilder, perplex, deceive, delusion, temptation
The kanji 惑 combines 戈 (spear, weapon) and 心 (heart). This combination suggests a heart being struck or assailed, leading to a state of confusion, bewilderment, or being misled.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 惑 consists of 12 strokes. It begins with the left-hand radical 戈 (hoe/spear) and then the right-hand component, which is similar to 或, composed of 口 and 戈, with 心 (heart) at the bottom. Pay attention to the order and flow for each component.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 心 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 12 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | Unspecified |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- 惑 (WAKU)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- 惑う (madou)
Common Words Using 惑
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 迷惑 | めいわく | trouble; annoyance; bother |
| 困惑 | こんわく | perplexity; bewilderment; embarrassment |
| 誘惑 | ゆうわく | temptation; enticement; allurement |
| 疑惑 | ぎわく | doubt; suspicion; distrust |
| 惑星 | わくせい | planet |
| 当惑 | とうわく | embarrassment; perplexity |
| 魅惑 | みわく | fascination; charm; glamour |
| 惑乱 | わくらん | confusion; disturbance; disarray |
| 幻惑 | げんわく | illusion; dazzling; enchantment |
| 惑溺 | わくでき | infatuation; addiction; obsession |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 惑う | まどう | to be puzzled; to be bewildered; to go astray |
| 戸惑う | とまどう | to be bewildered; to be at a loss; to be perplexed |
| 道に惑う | みちにまどう | to get lost on the way |
| 心惑う | こころまどう | to be confused in mind/heart |
| 我を惑う | われをまどう | to lose oneself |
| 惑わせる | まどわせる | to bewilder; to mislead; to deceive |
| 目惑う | めまどう | to be dazzled (by light, beauty) |
| 惑わされる | まどわされる | to be deceived; to be led astray (passive) |
| 惑い | まどい | bewilderment; confusion (noun) |
| 惑わず | まどわず | without being bewildered/confused (negative form) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼は初めての海外旅行で、言葉の壁に戸惑った。
Kana: かれははじめてのかいがいりょこうで、ことばのかべにとまどった。
Romaji: Kare wa hajimete no kaigai ryokō de, kotoba no kabe ni tomadotta.
English: He was bewildered by the language barrier on his first overseas trip.
Japanese: 甘い誘惑に負けてはいけない。
Kana: あまいゆうわくにまけてはいけない。
Romaji: Amai yūwaku ni makete wa ikenai.
English: You must not give in to sweet temptations.
Japanese: 彼の言動は周囲を困惑させた。
Kana: かれのげんどうはしゅういをこんわくさせた。
Romaji: Kare no gendō wa shūi o konwaku saseta.
English: His words and actions bewildered those around him.
Japanese: 宇宙にはたくさんの惑星が存在する。
Kana: うちゅうにはたくさんのわくせいがそんざいする。
Romaji: Uchū ni wa takusan no wakusei ga sonzai suru.
English: Many planets exist in space.
Japanese: 予期せぬ質問に、彼女は当惑した表情を見せた。
Kana: よきせぬしつもんに、かのじょはとうわくしたひょうじょうをみせた。
Romaji: Yoki senu shitsumon ni, kanojo wa tōwaku shita hyōjō o miseta.
English: She showed an embarrassed expression to the unexpected question.
Japanese: 詐欺師の言葉に惑わされてはいけない。
Kana: さぎしのことばにまどわされてはいけない。
Romaji: Sagishi no kotoba ni madowasarete wa ikenai.
English: You must not be deceived by the words of a con artist.
Japanese: 道に迷い、どちらへ行けば良いか惑った。
Kana: みちにまよい、どちらへいけばよいかまどった。
Romaji: Michi ni mayoi, dochira e ikeba yoi ka madotta.
English: I got lost on the way and was bewildered about which way to go.
Japanese: その景色は人々を魅惑する美しさだった。
Kana: そのけしきはひとびとをみわくするうつくしさだった。
Romaji: Sono keshiki wa hitobito o miwaku suru utsukushisa datta.
English: That scenery had a fascinating beauty that charmed people.
Japanese: 彼の潔白については何の疑惑もない。
Kana: かれのけっぱくについてはなんのぎわくもない。
Romaji: Kare no keppaku ni tsuite wa nan no giwaku mo nai.
English: There is no doubt about his innocence.
Japanese: 政治家の汚職が国民に迷惑をかけている。
Kana: せいじかのおしょくがこくみんにめいわくをかけている。
Romaji: Seijika no oshoku ga kokumin ni meiwaku o kakete iru.
English: The corruption of politicians is causing trouble for the citizens.
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