Translation guide
To reach a point where no progress can be made because of a disagreement or deadlock.
To describe a situation where talks or negotiations have stopped making progress due to disagreement.
To describe a situation where one cannot proceed due to a mental block or lack of ideas.
行き詰まる is a general verb for reaching a deadlock, suitable for everyday conversation. 膠着状態 is a noun phrase often used in formal writing or news to describe a prolonged stalemate.
The meeting hit a deadlock.
A common and natural way to say that a situation has reached a deadlock. Can be used for negotiations, projects, or personal situations.
The negotiations have reached an impasse.
A more formal expression meaning 'to fall into a stalemate'. Often used in news or business contexts.
The peace talks have reached an impasse.
Literally 'to become hand-blocked', meaning to run out of options or moves. Often used when all possible actions have been exhausted.
We've reached an impasse with our countermeasures.
A metaphorical expression meaning 'to run aground on a reef'. Used for plans or negotiations that have hit a major obstacle.
The plan has reached an impasse.
Same as above, but also very natural for personal creative blocks or life situations.
My research has reached an impasse.
Literally 'to boil down', but often used to mean reaching a dead end in thinking or discussion. Note: some people misuse it to mean 'to reach a conclusion', but the standard meaning is 'to be stuck'.
Some native speakers use this to mean 'to reach a conclusion', but careful usage treats it as 'to be stuck'.
I've run out of ideas and reached an impasse.
Means 'to be blocked in all directions'. Stronger than 行き詰まる, implying no way out.
We've reached a complete impasse.
The meeting is at an impasse.