五里霧中

• Reading: ごりむちゅう
• Romaji: gorumuchuu
• Kanji breakdown: 五 (go) — five; 里 (ri) — traditional unit of distance; 霧 (mu/kiri) — fog; 中 (chuu) — inside, within
• Pronunciation: /ɡo.ɾi.mɯ.t͡ɕɯː/

Meaning

Completely lost; bewildered; unable to see the way forward; in a fog.

A four-character idiom (yojijukugo) meaning to be lost in a thick fog that stretches five ri (about 20 km) in every direction — a metaphor for total disorientation. Used when a person or group has no clear idea of the situation, prospects, or correct course of action. Often used to describe both personal confusion and broader societal uncertainty.

Examples

1. 突然の異動辞令に、彼はまさに五里霧中の心境だった。 Caught off guard by the sudden transfer order, he felt completely lost.
2. 経済先行きは五里霧中で、専門家の見通しも分かれている。 The economic outlook is shrouded in fog, and even experts' forecasts are divided.
3. プロジェクトが五里霧中の状態に陥り、チーム全体が途方に暮れた。 The project fell into a state of total confusion, leaving the entire team at a loss.

Usage Guide

Context: confusion, uncertainty, journalism, personal experience

Tone: negative

Origin & History

From a Chinese story about a Han-dynasty Taoist who could summon a five-ri fog to hide himself. The idiom entered Japanese use via classical Chinese literature, evolving into a metaphor for complete disorientation.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical China → Modern Japan

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated