Word
躓く
Meaning in Englishstumble, trip, fail
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
What does 躓く mean? It means to stumble or trip while walking, momentarily losing footing, and it can also describe a figurative setback in progress. In everyday Japanese use, the verb covers both physical stumbling and metaphorical hindrance and is common in speech and writing.
Main meanings
- Physical stumble or trip while walking, typically caused by an obstacle or uneven surface
- Figurative setback or temporary hindrance in plans, tasks, or arguments
- Metaphorical loss of footing or confidence in a situation
How to use it
Used across casual and formal contexts to describe both literal stumbling and figurative setbacks. Common in narrative prose, everyday speech, and instructional writing; conjugates like a typical godan verb.
Variants and close terms
- つまずく — tsumazuku, direct synonym with the same meaning
- 転ぶ — korobu, to fall, related but broader
- つまずき — tsumazuki, noun form meaning a stumble
Composition
- 躓く (tsumazuku) is a single-kanji verb. The kanji 躓 carries the core meaning of stumbling; the dictionary form ends with く. The left component ⻊ (foot) underlines the action of the foot colliding with an obstacle.
Word class
Verb (godan)