慌 — “Disconcerted / Be Confused / Lose One's Head” in Japanese

Master (高手)こう, あわ

Radical ⼼ · radical 61 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Disconcerted / Be Confused / Lose One's Head” in Japanese is 慌, read kou, awa (こう, あわ). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 慌てる (to panic).

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What does 慌 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	慌
Meaning	Disconcerted / Be Confused / Lose One's Head
Readings	こう, あわ
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	慌てる (to panic)

How to read 慌

慌 is read kou (こう) or awa (あわ) depending on the word.

Words with 慌

慌てる

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Kanji read the same way as 慌

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28