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停頓 (ていとん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

停てい頓とん

て

い

と

ん

Meanings

1

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

deadlock; standstill; stalemate

Describes a situation where progress stops completely, often used for negotiations, projects, or plans. Somewhat formal and literary.

交こう渉しょうは停てい頓とん状じょう態たいに陥おちいった。
The negotiations fell into a deadlock.

計けい画かくが停てい頓とんしてしまい、先さきに進すすめない。

The plan has come to a standstill and we can't move forward.

Kanji

停halt, stopping
頓suddenly, immediately, in a hurry

Similar words

行いき詰づまり
行き詰まり is a more common, everyday word for deadlock or impasse. 停頓 is more formal and often used in written or official contexts.
膠こう着ちゃく
膠着 also means deadlock or stalemate, but often implies a prolonged, sticky situation with no movement. 停頓 emphasizes a halt or pause.

Etymology

Compound of 停 (stop, halt) and 頓 (sudden, pause). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination conveys a sudden stop or standstill.