不思議

ふしぎ

mystery, curiosity

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"不思議" (ふしぎ) is a noun and na-adjective that expresses something mysterious, strange, or hard to understand. It often conveys a sense of wonder or curiosity about phenomena or situations that defy easy explanation.

Common Contexts

It is frequently used to describe unusual events, feelings, or things that evoke surprise or amazement. It can be applied to both positive and neutral contexts, such as mysterious natural phenomena or curious personal experiences.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 不思議な現象 (ふしぎなげんしょう): mysterious phenomenon
  • 不思議に思う (ふしぎにおもう): to find something mysterious or puzzling
  • 不思議な気持ち (ふしぎなきもち): a strange or curious feeling

Register and Nuance

"不思議" is generally neutral and can be used in both casual and formal situations. It is not overly formal but polite enough for everyday conversation and writing.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "不思議" with words meaning "impossible" or "unbelievable". While "不思議" implies something strange or mysterious, it does not mean something cannot happen; it often invites curiosity rather than disbelief.

Example Sentences

このげんしょうはほんとうにふしぎだ。

This phenomenon is truly mysterious.

かれのはなしはいつもふしぎなところがある。

His stories always have something mysterious about them.

ふしぎにおもうことがあったら、えんりょなくしつもんしてください。

If you find something mysterious or puzzling, please feel free to ask questions.