もつれる

も

つ

れ

る

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

get tangled; become entangled

usually written using kana alone

Describes threads, strings, hair, or similar things becoming physically tangled or knotted.

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

trip over one's tongue; stumble over one's words; have poor control over

usually written using kana alone

Used in set phrases like 舌がもつれる (to slur or stumble over words) and 足がもつれる (to trip or have one's legs get tangled).

絡からまる
絡まる also means 'to get tangled,' but it often implies something winding around or being entwined with something else, while もつれる focuses on the resulting messy, knotted state.
こじれる
こじれる is used when a situation or relationship turns sour or becomes strained, often with a negative emotional tone, whereas もつれる simply indicates complication or entanglement.

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the mimetic root motsu- suggesting entanglement or twisting, but the exact derivation is unclear.