Translation guide
A blockage is something that obstructs a passage, flow, or process. In Japanese, the best word depends on what is blocked: a physical pipe, a road, a bodily function, or an abstract process.
Something is stuck inside a pipe, drain, or similar narrow passage, preventing flow.
The most common word for a blockage in a pipe, drain, or tube. Often used in everyday situations like a clogged sink.
The kitchen sink has a blockage.
Can you fix the blockage in the drain pipe?
A more formal or technical term for blockage, often used in medical or engineering contexts. Implies a complete obstruction.
I have symptoms of an intestinal blockage.
Water isn't flowing because of a blockage in the pipe.
The noun form of 詰まる, used in casual speech. Often interchangeable with 詰まり but slightly more colloquial.
Tell me how to fix a toilet blockage.
Something is blocking a road, hallway, or entrance, preventing movement.
General word for an obstacle or physical object blocking a path. Not limited to pipes; can be a fallen tree, a parked car, etc.
There's a blockage on the road and I can't get through.
The state of being blocked or closed off. Often used for entrances or passages that are obstructed.
Can also be used for roads or passages, but sounds formal and is more common in technical contexts.
A medical condition where a vessel, duct, or passage in the body is obstructed.
Standard medical term for blockage of a blood vessel, intestine, etc. Used in compound words like 血管閉塞 (vascular blockage).
A vascular blockage can cause a stroke.
Used in everyday language for minor bodily blockages, like a stuffy nose or constipation. Less formal than 閉塞.
Something is preventing progress in a non-physical sense, like a bureaucratic hurdle or a mental block.
General term for an obstacle or hindrance, often used in abstract contexts like communication barriers or procedural blocks.
We need to remove the blockage in communication.
Refers to stagnation or a standstill, implying a blockage that halts progress. Often used for economic or workflow blockages.
A deadlock or impasse, often used when a situation cannot move forward. Implies a more severe blockage.
詰まり is the everyday word for a physical clog, like in a sink or nose. 閉塞 is more formal and often used in medical or technical contexts for complete obstruction. Use 詰まり for casual situations and 閉塞 when precision or formality is needed.
Fix the sink blockage
Treatment for vascular blockage
English 'blockage' in abstract senses (e.g., 'mental blockage') is often better expressed with words like 障害 (obstacle) or 停滞 (stagnation) rather than a direct translation of 'blockage'. Using 詰まり for a mental block would sound odd.
I have a mental blockage.
Please remove the blockage in the hallway.
入り口の塞がりを何とかしてください。
Please do something about the blockage at the entrance.
トンネルの閉塞により交通が麻痺した。
Traffic was paralyzed due to a blockage in the tunnel.
腸閉塞の手術を受けました。
I had surgery for an intestinal blockage.
鼻の詰まりがひどくて眠れない。
I can't sleep because of a nasal blockage.
Constipation is a blockage of the intestines.
The plan is delayed due to a procedural blockage.
交渉が停滞している。
Negotiations are at a blockage (stalemate).
I want to break through the blockage in my work.
The project has hit a blockage (dead end).