be lost / hesitate
N3- Onyomi
- メイ
- Kunyomi
- まよ(う)
- Stroke count
- 9
- JLPT
- N3
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 迷 down and you get 米 (rice) — grains of rice scattered from the stalk, and beside it ⻌ (road / movement) — a road running along the bottom of the character. Picture a road arching over a bridge across water, put 迷 inside it, and let that scene stand for "be lost" — be lost / hesitate. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 9
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は9画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 9 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
迷惑
meiwaku
nuisance
迷惑な
meiwakuna
attributive: nuisance (before a noun)
迷惑です
meiwakudesu
polite: is nuisance
迷惑じゃないです
meiwakujanaidesu
polite negative: is not nuisance
Example sentences (4)
夜遅くに電話すると迷惑になるかもしれません。
よる おそく に でんわ する と めいわく に なる かも しれません。
yoru osoku ni denwa suru to meiwaku ni naru kamo shiremasen.
Calling late at night might bother someone.
ご迷惑をおかけしてしまい、申し訳ありません。
ごめいわく を おかけ して しまい、もうしわけ ありません。
gomeiwaku o okake shite shimai, moushiwake arimasen.
I am sorry for causing you trouble.
受験するかどうか、まだ迷っています。
じゅけん する か どう か、まだ まよっています。
juken suru ka dou ka, mada mayotteimasu.
I am still unsure whether to take the exam.
夜は音を小さくしないと、隣の人に迷惑ですよ。
よる は おと を ちいさく しない と、となり の ひと に めいわく です よ。
yoru wa oto o chiisaku shinai to, tonari no hito ni meiwaku desu yo.
At night, if you do not turn the volume down, it bothers the neighbours.