Word
躓く
Meaning in Englishstumble, trip, fail
Animated kanji stroke order
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)