Translation guide
A dead-end street or a situation from which there is no progress. In Japanese, the physical street is commonly expressed with 袋小路, while metaphorical deadlocks use 行き止まり or デッドエンド.
A street that is closed at one end, often in a residential area.
The most direct equivalent for a physical cul-de-sac. Literally 'bag alley', it vividly describes a street with no exit.
This road is a cul-de-sac.
There is a house at the end of the cul-de-sac.
Means 'dead end' in general, for streets or paths. More common in everyday speech than 袋小路, but less specific to residential cul-de-sacs.
This is a dead end ahead.
A direct loanword from French/English, used in urban planning contexts. Rare in everyday conversation.
Many cul-de-sacs can be seen in this residential area.
A situation where no progress can be made, like a negotiation or project that is stuck.
Describes a stalemate or deadlock in discussions, plans, or life. Metaphorical 'dead end'.
The negotiations reached a deadlock.
Loanword from English, used for both physical dead ends and metaphorical deadlocks. Common in business or casual contexts.
袋小路 specifically refers to a street with a closed end, often with a turning space, while 行き止まり is a general 'dead end' for any path or road. In metaphorical use, 行き詰まり is preferred for situations.
The research is at an impasse.
This project has reached a dead end.
Also used metaphorically for a situation with no way out, though less common than 行き詰まり.
The discussion got into a cul-de-sac.