Meaning and Usage
慌てる (あわてる) means to become flustered, confused, or to panic, often in unexpected or stressful situations. It describes a sudden loss of composure or calm.
Common Contexts
You often hear 慌てる when someone reacts quickly and nervously, such as during exams, emergencies, or when they realize they forgot something important.
Collocations and Patterns
- 慌てて + verb (e.g., 慌てて走る): doing something hurriedly because of panic.
- 慌てずに + verb (e.g., 慌てずに話す): advising someone not to panic and to act calmly.
- 慌てる場面: situations where one might panic or get flustered.
Register and Nuance
慌てる is casual to neutral and common in everyday conversation. It conveys a natural human reaction, not overly formal or technical.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 慌てる with 急ぐ (いそぐ, to hurry). 慌てる emphasizes emotional panic or confusion, while 急ぐ focuses on speed without necessarily implying panic.