Translation guide
The English verb "falter" covers several related ideas: losing physical steadiness, hesitating in speech or action, losing confidence or resolve, and declining in strength or effectiveness. This guide organizes the most useful Japanese expressions by these core meanings.
To describe someone losing their balance, tripping, or walking unsteadily.
A common verb meaning to stagger, stumble, or lose one's footing. Often used when someone is pushed, dizzy, or drunk.
He stumbled over a stone and faltered.
Describes unsteady movement, often due to dizziness, fatigue, or intoxication. Can also be used figuratively for indecision.
I was faltering from the fever and couldn't walk straight.
Literally "legs get tangled". Used when someone trips or stumbles because their legs don't move smoothly.
I was so tired my legs faltered and I almost fell.
To describe someone's voice becoming unsteady, pausing, or struggling to speak smoothly.
A common phrase meaning to be at a loss for words, to falter in speech due to emotion or difficulty.
She faltered, unable to find the words because of nerves.
Means to stammer or stutter. Can be used for both a speech impediment and momentary faltering.
Literally "voice trembles". Used when someone's voice falters due to fear, sadness, or strong emotion.
To describe someone's determination or courage weakening, often before a difficult action.
The most direct equivalent for hesitating or faltering before a decision or action.
He faltered for a moment, but then made his decision quickly.
Literally "heart breaks". Means to lose one's spirit or resolve; to falter mentally under pressure.
To flinch or shrink back from something intimidating; to falter in the face of opposition.
To be discouraged or disheartened; to falter in spirit. Often used when someone loses motivation.
To describe something like an economy, demand, or energy losing power or momentum.
A general verb for declining in vigor, strength, or ability. Suitable for physical strength, mental faculties, or abstract things like influence.
Demand is beginning to falter.
Intransitive verb meaning to weaken or abate. Often used for wind, rain, or momentum.
Means to stagnate or stall. Used when progress falters and stops moving forward.
Negotiations have faltered and there's no progress.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all senses of "falter". Choose the expression based on whether you mean physical stumbling, speech hesitation, loss of resolve, or decline. Using the wrong one can sound unnatural.
His resolve faltered. (unnatural: よろめく is physical)
He faltered, stammering as he spoke from nervousness.
Her voice faltered and she couldn't finish what she was saying.
After failing so many times, my resolve nearly faltered.
He didn't falter in the face of his opponent's intensity.
一度の失敗でくじけてはいけない。
Don't let your spirit falter after just one failure.
景気回復の勢いが弱まっている。
The momentum of the economic recovery is faltering.