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 standard word for a tree stump. Literally 'cut stump'.
庭に古い切り株がある。
There is an old stump in the garden.
Can mean stump, but also stock or root. Often used in compounds.
木の株が残っている。
The stump of the tree remains.
The part of an arm or leg left after amputation
Medical term for the stump of an amputated limb.
切断後の断端のケアが重要だ。
Care of the stump after amputation is important.
Literally 'cut end', can be used for the stump of a limb in everyday language.
A question or problem that is very hard to solve
That question really stumped me. · It's a stump of a problem.
A difficult problem or puzzle. Often used for exam questions or riddles.
その数学の問題は本当に難問だった。
That math problem was a real stumper.
A difficult problem or challenge, often implying a troublesome issue.
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.
その質問は彼を困らせた。
The question stumped him.
To be at a loss, to be stumped. Literally 'burn one's hands'.
To throw up one's hands; to be stumped. Casual.
この問題はお手上げだ。
I'm stumped by this problem.
To travel around making political speeches
To go on a speaking tour, especially for political campaigning.
候補者は全国を遊説している。
The candidate is stumping across the country.
To give a stump speech in support of someone. Literally 'support speech'.
彼は各地で応援演説をした。
He stumped for the candidate in various places.
The set of three stumps and two bails in cricket
The cricket term for the stumps and bails together. Borrowed from English 'wicket'.
ボールがウィケットを直撃した。
The ball hit the stumps directly.
Direct loanword for 'stump' in cricket, but less common than ウィケット.
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.
その質問に困った。
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.
腕の切り口が痛む。
The stump of my arm hurts.
彼は私に難題をふっかけた。
He posed a stump of a problem to me.
I'm stumped by this puzzle.
クリケットのスタンプは3本ある。
There are three stumps in cricket.