Difference between 迷子になる and 道に迷う


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.




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)




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)

