Physical tangling of threads, hair, ropes, etc. Often used with verbs like できる or をほどく.
髪の毛にもつれができてしまった。
My hair got tangled.
complication; trouble; snag
Figurative use for complicated situations, relationship troubles, or procedural snags. Often appears as もつれが生じる or もつれを招く.
交渉のもつれで契約が遅れた。
The contract was delayed due to complications in the negotiations.
釣り糸のもつれをほどくのに時間がかかった。
It took time to untangle the fishing line.
Trouble arose between the two of them.
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 縺れ is rare.
Kanji form is uncommon; learners should use the kana spelling.
Noun form of the verb もつれる, of native Japanese origin. The kanji 縺 is a rare, non-jōyō character used specifically for tangling.