1.
to freeze solid, to freeze over
For something to freeze completely and become stuck or solid due to cold.
湖が凍りついた。
The lake froze solid.
水道管が凍りついて水が出ない。
The water pipes have frozen and no water comes out.
路面が凍りついているので、運転に気をつけてください。
The road surface is frozen over, so please drive carefully.
2.
to freeze up, to be paralyzed with fear or shock
To become unable to move or react due to fear, shock, or terror. A figurative extension of the physical meaning.
恐怖で凍りついた。
I froze with fear.
その知らせを聞いて、体が凍りついた。
Upon hearing the news, my body froze up.
暗闇の中で物音がして、その場に凍りついたように立ちすくんだ。
I heard a sound in the darkness and stood rooted to the spot as if frozen.
A compound verb formed from 凍る (to freeze) + つく (to stick/attach). The つく component adds the sense of thorough completion or attachment.
Sense 2 (figurative) is very common and describes the physical sensation of being unable to move from shock or terror.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 路面が凍りつく (road surface freezes over)
- 恐怖で凍りつく (freeze with fear)
- 血が凍りつく (blood runs cold)
- 凍りついた表情 (frozen expression)