Translation guide
How to express that something becomes twisted, caught, or entangled, either physically or metaphorically.
Describing when long, thin objects like strings, hair, or cables become twisted together and difficult to separate.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to become tangled/entangled'. Used for threads, hair, ropes, etc. getting tangled on their own or around something.
イヤホンのコードが絡まった。
My earphone cord got tangled.
髪の毛が絡まって、ブラシが通らない。
My hair is tangled and the brush won't go through.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to get tangled/twisted'. Often used for threads, strings, or relationships. Implies a more complicated, messy tangle.
釣り糸がもつれてしまった。
The fishing line got tangled up.
Colloquial intransitive verb meaning 'to get tangled up'. Often used for strings, thoughts, or situations. Slightly more casual than 絡まる.
毛糸がこんがらがって、ほどけなくなった。
The yarn got all tangled and I can't untangle it.
When a person or object becomes caught or entangled with another object, often by snagging.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to get caught/snagged'. Used when something catches on a protrusion or obstacle.
セーターが釘に引っかかった。
My sweater got caught on a nail.
足がロープに引っかかって転んだ。
My foot got tangled in the rope and I fell.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to get entangled/twined around'. Often implies something winding around another object.
Describing when a situation, relationship, or one's speech becomes complicated, confused, or entangled.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to get complicated/messy/tangled'. Used for relationships, negotiations, or situations that become difficult.
話し合いがこじれて、解決しなかった。
The discussion got tangled up and wasn't resolved.
Also used metaphorically for relationships or situations becoming tangled/complicated.
Kanji form of もつれる, often used in writing. Same meaning.
When you stumble over your words or your speech becomes confused.
Common phrase meaning 'to get tongue-tied' or 'words get tangled'.
緊張して言葉がもつれた。
I got nervous and my words got tangled.
Literally 'tongue gets tangled', meaning to stumble over words.
お酒を飲みすぎて舌がもつれている。
He drank too much and his tongue is getting tangled.
絡まる is the most general and neutral for physical tangling. もつれる implies a more complex, messy tangle and is also used metaphorically. こんがらがる is casual and often used for strings or confused thoughts.
コードが絡まる (neutral) / コードがこんがらがる (casual) / 問題がもつれる (metaphorical)
The cord gets tangled / The cord gets all tangled / The problem gets complicated
The English 'get tangled' is intransitive. Do not confuse with transitive verbs like 絡める (からめる, to entangle something) or もつれさせる (to cause to tangle). Use the intransitive forms above.
糸が絡まった (OK) / 糸を絡めた (transitive, different meaning)
The thread got tangled / I entangled the thread
The ivy is tangled around the fence.
二人の関係がもつれてしまった。
Their relationship got tangled/complicated.
事態が縺れて収拾がつかない。
The situation got tangled and is out of control.