Translation guide
How to express the act of tripping or nearly falling, or speaking/acting in a hesitant, unsteady way.
Describing the action of catching one's foot on something and almost falling, or walking unsteadily.
The most common verb for tripping over something or stumbling while walking. Often used with に to indicate the obstacle.
石につまずいて転びそうになった。
I stumbled on a stone and almost fell.
暗くて何度もつまずいた。
It was dark and I stumbled several times.
To stagger or lose one's balance, often from a push, dizziness, or intoxication. Focuses on the unsteady movement rather than catching on something.
彼はよろけて壁にぶつかった。
He stumbled and hit the wall.
A more specific verb meaning to trip over one's own feet or stumble. Less common than つまずく.
自分の足に蹴躓いて転んだ。
I tripped over my own feet and fell.
Describing when someone stumbles over words, pauses awkwardly, or makes errors in speech.
To get stuck on words, to falter in speech. Often due to nervousness or difficulty finding the right word.
緊張して言葉に詰まってしまった。
I got nervous and stumbled over my words.
To stammer or stutter. Can be used for both a speech impediment and temporary stumbling over words.
彼は緊張してどもりながら話した。
He spoke nervously, stumbling over his words.
Literally 'to bite', but commonly used for misspeaking or tripping over a word, like a slip of the tongue.
スピーチで何度も噛んでしまった。
I stumbled over my words several times during the speech.
Metaphorically stumbling upon a problem or setback in a plan, project, or life.
The same verb as physical stumbling, used metaphorically for hitting a snag or failing at something. Often used with に.
仕事でつまずいてしまった。
I stumbled at work (encountered a problem).
彼は人生の節目でつまずいた。
He stumbled at a turning point in his life.
To suffer a setback or frustration, to be thwarted. Stronger than つまずく, implying a more significant failure or giving up.
彼は一度挫折したが、また立ち上がった。
He stumbled once but got back up again.
Discovering or encountering something unexpectedly.
To find by chance. A straightforward way to express stumbling upon something.
古い写真を偶然見つけた。
I stumbled upon an old photo.
To encounter unexpectedly or by chance. Often used for people or ideas.
街で昔の友達にふと出会った。
I stumbled upon an old friend in the street.