Translation guide
The English phrase "get stuck" covers a range of situations where something becomes unable to move, progress, or escape. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is stuck and how. This guide organizes the most common meanings and natural Japanese expressions.
Something is jammed, lodged, or unable to move freely.
General term for getting caught, snagged, or stuck on something. Used for objects, clothing, zippers, etc.
ファスナーが引っかかった。
The zipper got stuck.
袖がドアノブに引っかかった。
My sleeve got stuck on the doorknob.
Something is clogged, blocked, or jammed inside a passage or opening. Used for pipes, drains, printers, etc.
プリンターに紙が詰まった。
The paper got stuck in the printer.
排水口が詰まっている。
The drain is stuck/clogged.
Something is stuck between two things, wedged in. Used for fingers, objects in gaps.
指がドアに挟まった。
My finger got stuck in the door.
Literally "become unable to move." A safe, general phrase when something mechanical or a body part stops moving.
車が動かなくなった。
The car got stuck (wouldn't move).
A person or vehicle cannot get out of a location or predicament.
To be stranded or stuck and unable to proceed, often used for vehicles in snow or traffic, or people in a difficult spot.
大雪で車が立ち往生した。
The car got stuck in the heavy snow.
Literally "cannot move one's body." Used when physically trapped or stuck in a tight spot, or metaphorically in a difficult situation.
狭い隙間で身動きが取れなくなった。
I got stuck in a narrow gap and couldn't move.
Cannot escape or get out of a place or situation. Often used for bad habits, crowds, or emotional states.
人混みから抜け出せなかった。
I got stuck in the crowd and couldn't get out.
To be shut in or trapped inside a place. Passive form of 閉じ込める.
エレベーターに閉じ込められた。
I got stuck in the elevator.
Unable to make progress on a problem, question, or creative task.
To reach a dead end, be stumped, or hit a wall. Used for work, studies, negotiations.
仕事で行き詰まっている。
I'm stuck on a work problem.
Also used for mental blocks, especially when you can't think of an answer or words.
Feeling trapped in a monotonous or undesirable situation.
To become stuck in a rut, stale, or routine. Often used for relationships or work.
付き合いがマンネリ化している。
Our relationship is stuck in a rut.
As above, but used for metaphorical traps like poverty, depression, or a dead-end job.
貧困から抜け出せない。
I'm stuck in poverty.
Forced to deal with or keep something unwanted.
To have something pushed onto you; to be stuck with a task or responsibility.
面倒な仕事を押し付けられた。
I got stuck with a troublesome task.
To be stuck holding or bearing something, like a burden or problem.
借金を抱え込んでいる。
I'm stuck with debt.
These three verbs are often confused. 引っかかる (hikkakaru) means caught on a projection or snagged. 詰まる (tsumaru) means blocked inside a channel. 挟まる (hasamaru) means wedged between two surfaces. Choose based on the type of obstruction.
服が釘に引っかかった。
My clothes got caught on a nail.
パイプが詰まった。
The pipe got clogged.
本が棚の間に挟まった。
The book got stuck between the shelves.
Avoid directly translating 'get stuck' as スタックする or 詰まる in all cases. スタックする is mainly used in computing or technical contexts. Use the appropriate verb for the situation.
Literally "can't put one's hands on it." Means you don't know how to start or proceed, often because it's overwhelming.
問題が難しくて手がつけられない。
The problem is so hard I'm stuck.
I got stuck for words.