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立ちふさがる (たちふさがる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

立たちふさがる

た

ち

ふ

さ

が

る

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

stand in the way; block the path; bar the way

Describes physically standing in front of someone or something to obstruct passage, often with a nuance of defiance or challenge.

彼かれは玄げん関かんに立たちふさがって、誰だれも通とおさなかった。
He stood in the doorway and wouldn't let anyone pass.
大おおきな岩いわが道

みち

に

立た

ちふさがっ

て

い

た

。

A large rock was blocking the road.

Written forms

立たちふさがるUsage69%
Common spelling using 立ち and kana for the rest; avoids the less common 塞 kanji.
立たち塞ふさがるUsage27%
Uses the kanji 塞 (block/obstruct), which is less frequent but still seen.
たちふさがるUsage4%
立たち塞ふさがる
Rare abbreviated kanji form; 立ちふさがる or 立ち塞がる are preferred.

Kanji

立stand up, rise, set up
塞close, shut, cover

Similar words

遮さえぎる
遮る is a transitive verb meaning to physically block or interrupt something (e.g., view, sound, conversation), while 立ちふさがる is intransitive and specifically means to stand in the way as an obstacle.
妨さまたげる
妨げる is a transitive verb meaning to hinder or obstruct an action or progress, often abstractly, whereas 立ちふさがる is more concrete and physical.

Etymology

Compound of 立ち (continuative form of 立つ 'to stand') + ふさがる ('to be blocked'). The ふさがる part is an intransitive verb meaning to be obstructed or closed.