Meaning
to get lost; to lose one's way
Nuance & Usage
道に迷う (literally "to wander onto a road/path") means to get lost. The base verb 迷う (mayou — to wander, to be lost, to be undecided) is versatile: 道に迷う (lost on the road), 人生に迷う (lost in life), 選択に迷う (undecided about a choice). The expression 迷子になる (maigo ni naru) specifically means to get separated from the group/become a lost child. For giving directions when someone is lost: 道に迷いましたか？ (Are you lost?) is a kind question.
Common Mistakes
Note that 迷う alone without 道に can mean "to be indecisive" (何を食べるか迷っています — I can't decide what to eat). Always use 道に迷う for physically getting lost. Also: 迷子 (maigo) specifically refers to a lost child or person separated from their group — not the same as just being directionally confused. If you're lost while driving, the expression 道を間違えた (I took the wrong road) is also natural.
Example Sentences
初めて来た街で道に迷ってしまいました。
はじめてきたまちでみちにまよってしまいました。
I got lost in a town I was visiting for the first time.
地図があっても道に迷うことがあります。
ちずがあってもみちにまよることがあります。
Even with a map, you can sometimes get lost.
すみません、道に迷ってしまったのですが、駅はどちらですか？
すみません、みちにまよってしまったのですが、えきはどちらですか？
Excuse me, I've gotten lost — which way is the station?
Quick Quiz
N34 questionsTest your knowledge of 道に迷う with 4 different question types.
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