Translation guide
The English word "stump" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: the base of a tree, a remaining part of a limb, a difficult problem, and the action of confusing someone. It also touches on political campaigning and cricket, which are less common but useful to know.
The base of a tree left after cutting
The part of an arm or leg left after amputation
A question or problem that is very hard to solve
That question really stumped me. · It's a stump of a problem.
To cause someone to be unable to answer or solve something
To cause trouble or perplex. A natural way to say 'stump' in the sense of baffling someone.
The question stumped him.
To be at a loss, to be stumped. Literally 'burn one's hands'.
I'm stumped by this puzzle.
To throw up one's hands; to be stumped. Casual.
I'm stumped by this problem.
To travel around making political speeches
The set of three stumps and two bails in cricket
When you want to say 'stump' meaning to confuse or baffle, do not directly translate the word. Use phrases like 困らせる or 手を焼く. A literal translation like 切り株する would be nonsense.
I was stumped by the question.
Both mean a difficult problem. 難問 is often used for academic or puzzle-like questions, while 難題 implies a more troublesome or challenging situation, sometimes deliberately posed by someone.