つまずく

also: つまづく

つ

ま

ず

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Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

つまずく · godan verb (-ku)

Meanings

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

usually written using kana alone

Physical stumbling over an obstacle or one's own feet.

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

usually written using kana alone

Figurative use for encountering a problem or failure in a plan, project, or life.

〈物もの〉に躓つまずくto trip over/on something
段だん差さに躓つまずいて転ころんでしまった。
I tripped on the step and fell.
〈事こと〉で躓つまずくto hit a setback or stumble over something (a plan, subject, etc.)
新あたらしい事じ業ぎょうの資し金きん繰ぐりで躓つまずいた。
We ran into trouble with financing for the new business.
最さい初しょの一いっ歩ぽで躓つまずくto stumble right at the start (of something)
計けい画かくは最さい初しょの一いっ歩ぽで躓つまずいてしまった。
The plan hit a snag right from the very first step.

転ころぶN3sense 1
転ぶ means 'to fall down' completely, while 躓く focuses on the trip or stumble that may or may not end in a fall.
失しっ敗ぱいN4sense 2
失敗する is a general, plain word for 'to fail', whereas 躓く keeps the image of a small stumble or temporary setback rather than outright failure.
こける sense 1
こける is a casual, colloquial word for tripping or falling, while 躓く is the more neutral standard verb.
しくじるN1sense 2
しくじる is a colloquial verb for blundering or botching something, while 躓く suggests hitting a snag partway through rather than a clear-cut blunder.
よろめくN1
つまずく means to trip over something specific (like a stone), whereas よろめく describes general loss of balance without necessarily tripping on an object.

成せい功こうN4sense 2
成功する 'to succeed' is the opposite of 躓く's figurative sense of hitting a setback or failing partway.

つまずくUsage71%
Kana spelling is standard; the kanji 躓く is rare and not part of the Jōyō set.
躓くUsage17%
- つまずく
  Kanji form is uncommon and may not be recognized by all readers.
- つまづく
つまづくUsage12%
Alternate kana spelling with づ; the standard reading is つまずく.

The origin is uncertain, but it may be related to つま (爪, 'nail') + つく ('to poke/strike'), suggesting catching one's toe on something.