Japanese meaning of 暗中模索
Reading:
あんちゅうもさく (anchuu mosaku)
English Translation:
Groping in the dark; trial and error
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Searching for a solution without clear guidance; trial-and-error under uncertainty.
Cultural Context:
Common in business turnarounds, research, and policy when data are insufficient or signals are noisy.
手がかりのないまま解決を探る、不確実下の試行錯誤。
データ不足・シグナル不鮮明な局面の経営再建・研究・政策で多用される。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase with “を続ける” or “の状態” to describe groping for a solution without clear direction (“暗中模索を続ける”).
• Common in problem-solving or investigative contexts.
Trap for English Speakers
Could be taken to mean “literal darkness,” but it is metaphorical for uncertainty or lack of information.
Example
Basic Example
暗中模索の状態が続いている。
We are still groping in the dark.
Applied Example
暗中模索の中で、手探りで正解を探した。
Amid the darkness, he groped for the right answer.