The Meaning of tsumazuku [躓く] In Japanese

躓く
つまずく
Romaji: tsumazuku N5

What does 躓く mean?

Translation and Meaning

to stumble, to trip, to falter

Definition

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.

Type

Verb (godan)

Stroke Order

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

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.

Usage

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.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: visualize the foot radical ⻊ stepping on a small stone and tripping, linking the image to tsumazuku and the idea of a stumble.

Variations

  • 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

Example Phrases

  • 今朝の通勤途中で 躓くと つい 会議に 遅刻した。
    kesa no tsuukin tochuu de tsumazuku to tsui kaigi ni chikoku shita.
    I tripped on the way to work this morning and ended up late for the meeting.
    Lista:
    • 今朝の通勤途中で (kesa no tsuukin tochuu de) – on the way to work this morning
    • 躓くと (tsumazuku to) – when I stumble
    • つい (tsui) – just; accidentally
    • 会議に (kaigi ni) – to the meeting
    • 遅刻した (chikoku shita) – was late
    É o uso de 「躓く」 na forma dicionário + と para indicar uma condição: 「躓く」 = to stumble; quando usado com と, significa ‘quando eu tropeço’, ligando-se ao resultado 遅刻した.
躓く