Entry
あたふた
atafuta
Describes acting in a rushed, panicked, and disorganized manner due to being caught off guard.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word (gitaigo) used when someone loses their composure. It depicts rushing around or reacting hastily because of a sudden event, an unexpected question, or a mistake, emphasizing a lack of mental calm.
- Rushing around in a panic
- Mentally flustered and struggling to react
Sense Map
Panicked Action
Used when someone physically rushes to do something because they are pressed for time or surprised, like preparing after waking up late.
寝坊してあたふた準備する。
Mental Fluster
Used when someone loses their cool and struggles to figure out what to do, such as being asked a difficult question or being caught in a lie.
痛いところを突かれてあたふたする。
Usage Note
How to Use
あたふたする
Functions as a verb meaning 'to panic' or 'to become flustered'.
あたふたしている
あたふた（と） + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
あたふたする
to panic / get flustered
あたふたと出かける
to leave the house in a panic
あたふたと探す
to search for something frantically
突然のことにあたふたする
to be flustered by something sudden
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Unexpected Events | neutral to negative | Most frequently occurs when sudden changes or surprises catch someone off guard. |
| Making Mistakes | negative | Often used when reacting to one's own mistake, like dropping something or forgetting a wallet. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
おろおろ おろおろ / contrast | Used when someone is emotionally confused, bewildered, and often frozen in place or on the verge of tears. | あたふた involves actual physical rushing or attempts to do things, whereas おろおろ is more about freezing up in helpless mental confusion. | おろおろして泣き出す。 |
ばたばた ばたばた / similar | Used when someone is very busy or running around handling multiple things, often noisily. | あたふた emphasizes the mental state of panic and being flustered, while バタバタ focuses on physical busyness and the noisy sound of moving around. | 忙しくてバタバタする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using あたふた to command someone to hurry up (e.g., 'Atafuta shite!').
This word means to panic. Telling someone to do this means you are ordering them to lose their cool. To tell someone to hurry, use 急いで (isoide) or さっさと (sassato).
Using it simply to describe having a busy schedule.
If you are busy but still in control, use 忙しい (isogashii) or バタバタ (batabata). あたふた requires the element of panic or losing your composure.
Examples
Examples
突然の来客に、母はあたふたと部屋を片付け始めた。
とつぜんの らいきゃくに、 ははは あたふたと へやを かたづけ はじめた。
Surprised by sudden guests, my mother began to tidy up the room in a panic.
VisualShows rushed physical action caused by a sudden event.
寝坊してしまい、あたふたと家を飛び出した。
ねぼうしてしまい、 あたふたと いえを とびだした。
I overslept and rushed out of the house in a panic.
VisualOften used with verbs of movement when pressed for time.
面接で予想外の質問をされて、あたふたしてしまった。
めんせつで よそうがいの しつもんを されて、 あたふたしてしまった。
I was asked an unexpected question during the interview and got completely flustered.
FigurativeShows loss of mental composure rather than physical running around.
レジでお金が足りないことに気づいて、あたふたした。
レジで おかねが たりない ことに きづいて、 あたふたした。
I panicked when I realized I didn't have enough money at the cash register.
FigurativeDescribes a clumsy response out of embarrassment and surprise.
道に迷ってあたふたしている外国人を見かけた。
みちに まよって あたふたしている がいこくじんを みかけた。
I saw a foreigner who was looking lost and completely flustered.
VisualCan be used to describe the appearance of someone else who looks confused and panicked.
Similar Words
おろおろ
orooro
Describes being in a state of confusion or panic, to the point of not knowing what to do or how to act. おろおろ is freezing up in mental confusion, while あたふた is rushing around while panicking.
バタバタ
batabata
Batabata describes a state of being frantically busy and flustered, or the physical sound of heavy flapping, clattering footsteps, or things falling in quick succession. Both involve rushing, but バタバタ is about physical busyness/noise, not the mental weakness of panic.
そそくさ
sosokusa
そそくさ describes doing something hurriedly or hastily, often with the intention of leaving quickly or finishing a task without lingering.
Questions
Can I use 'atafuta' to mean I had a productive, fast-paced day?
No. 'Atafuta' implies disorganized panic. If you had a busy but productive day without panicking, use words like 'isogashii' (busy) or 'batabata' (rushing around).
Is there a difference between 'atafuta shite iru' and 'asette iru'?
Both mean to be panicked/flustered. 'Atafuta' feels more descriptive of outward, clumsy rushing and disorganized movements, while 'aseru' (the verb) focuses heavily on the internal feeling of impatience or panic.
Is this a formal word?
It is neutral and conversational. You can use it in business to humbly describe your own panicked actions, but you shouldn't use it to describe clients or bosses, as it implies a lack of composure.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1631590
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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