Japanese symbol for “waver”
迷う
まよう
Romaji: mayou
to lose one's way; to get lost; to go astray
In Japanese, waver is 迷う, read まよう (mayou).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v5u, vi to lose one's way; to get lost; to go astray
- v5u, vi to waver; to hesitate; to vacillate; to be of two minds (about); to be unable to make up one's mind; to not know what to do
- v5u, vi to be captivated (by); to be infatuated (with); to be charmed (by); to be carried away (by); to be blinded (by); to be lost (in)
- v5u, vi to linger (of a departed soul); to be restless in one's grave; to be unable to rest in peace
Written forms: 迷う、紕う. Readings: まよう.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “waver”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 揺らぐ | ゆらぐ yuragu | to waver; to feel shaken; to become unstable |
| 瞬く | またたく matataku | to twinkle (e.g. stars); to flicker; to waver |
| 揺るぐ | ゆるぐ yurugu | to shake; to waver; to tremble |
| 躊躇う | ためらう tamerau | to hesitate to; to waver; to be hesitant about |
| 動く | うごく ugoku | to change; to vary; to fluctuate |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 迷惑 | めいわく meiwaku | trouble; bother; annoyance |
| 迷子 | まいご maigo | lost child; lost person; stray child |
| 低迷 | ていめい teimei | hanging low (of clouds) |
| 迷い | まよい mayoi | hesitation; bewilderment; perplexity |
| 迷路 | めいろ meiro | maze; labyrinth |
See also: Chinese symbol for “waver”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.