lose the way

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is めい, and the kun reading is まよう. It has 9 strokes and relates to losing one's way or hesitating over a choice.
• Basic usage: 迷う is read まよう, and 迷惑 is read めいわく.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 迷う / 迷惑
  • 迷う means to get lost or to hesitate and is read まよう. It can mean getting lost on a route or hesitating over a choice.
  • 道に迷って同じ角を二度通った。 means “I got lost and passed the same corner twice.”
  • 迷惑 means nuisance or annoyance and is read めいわく. It refers to a nuisance caused to someone or annoyance from a repeated problem.
  • 夜遅くに大きな音を出すと近所の迷惑になります。 means “Making loud noises late at night is a nuisance to the neighbors.”