Meaning

Primary

Without Thinking

Alternatives

Unintentionally, Reflexively

Word Type

adverb

Explanation

This is an adverb, but it comes from a negative form of the verb 思う meaning without thinking. If you do something without thinking, you do it unintentionally or reflexively.

思わず is used when you react to something in spite of yourself, like 思わず笑った (I couldn't help but laugh) or 思わず目を閉じた (I closed my eyes reflexively).

Reading

おもわず
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading for this is the kun'yomi reading which you learned already, so you should be able to read this word as well.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 思わず見る

    to look reflexively, to look in spite of oneself

    思わず言う

    to say without thinking

    思わずつぶやく

    to mutter unconsciously, to tweet without thinking (X/Twitter)

Context Sentences

思わず本音を口にしてしまいました。

Without thinking, I blurted out what I really thought.

このテーブルは安すぎて、思わず買ってしまった。

This table was so cheap that I bought it on reflex.

思わず「ニコラス・ケイジさんですか?」と言ってしまった。

Without thinking, I asked, "Are you Nicolas Cage?”

Kanji Composition