98090
I'm trying to translate this sentence, "Not only am I late to the first day on
the job but I'm lost, too." and I can't decide between 迷子になる and 道に迷う.

What I have right now is, 仕事初日に遅刻してるだけじゃなく、迷子になってしまった。 But I'm unsure of the
difference in nuance between the two expressions. Is what I have written
correct? Or is there something better I could use? The specific context of the
sentence is someone driving around looking for where they need to go and
talking to themselves, kind of chastising themselves for being late/lost if
that makes a difference. Thanks.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-11T04:32:19.037
98077
2023-01-11T16:11:05.120
55146
question
translation word-choice nuances
Difference between 迷子になる and 道に迷う
道に迷う is the better phrase in the context in question.

  * 道に迷う requires 道 (roads). You cannot 道に迷う in a department store or a desert. This is not a problem when you are driving.
  * 迷子になる, as the kanji suggests, mainly refers to a small child being lost after straying from their parents in public spaces, but you can still use it to refer to an adult who has strayed from the group in a crowded place. It is not a very appropriate expression if you are alone from the beginning (though it would be understood as a bit humorous and teasing expression).

Also note that it's usually better to align the tense/aspect. You have to say
either of:

  * 仕事初日に遅刻しただけじゃなく、道に迷ってしまった。  
(if "what happened" is important)

  * 仕事初日に遅刻しているだけじゃなく、道に迷ってしまっている。  
(if your current situation is important)
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2023-01-11T12:22:41.960
98090
2023-01-11T12:39:53.180
2023-01-11T12:39:53.180
5010
5010
98077
answer
I agree with what naruto wrote.

Additionally, if you describe somebody as 迷子 as opposed to 道に迷っている there is a
degree of infantilization. For example, if you say 「部長、道に迷ってたんですね」, the
expression is mostly neutral. If you say 「部長、迷子になってたんですね」 it infantilizes 部長,
so unless you have a close relationship it could be offensive. Similarly, if
you say 「迷子になって遅れました」on your first day of work, it would sound childish/odd
whereas 「道に迷っていて遅れました」would be neutral.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-01-11T16:11:05.120
98092
2023-01-11T16:11:05.120
499
98077
answer