戸惑う

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 戸惑う(とまどう) means being bewildered and unsure how to respond to an unfamiliar or unexpected situation.
• Basic usage: It describes reactions such as confusion over a new machine or having one's name called unexpectedly.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Surprise and bewilderment
  • 驚く(おどろく) focuses on surprise; 戸惑う focuses on difficulty understanding or responding to the situation.
• Conjugation
  • The past form of 戸惑う is 戸惑った, and its negative form is 戸惑わない.