1.
stumble; tripping
the physical act of catching one's foot on something and losing balance
躓きに気をつけて。
Watch out for stumbling.
段差での躓きが多い。
Stumbling on steps is common.
高齢者は小さな段差でも躓きやすいので、注意が必要だ。
Elderly people are prone to stumbling even on small steps, so caution is needed.
2.
setback; failure; hitch
a figurative obstacle or mistake that disrupts progress in a plan, career, or relationship
最初の躓きだった。
It was the first setback.
計画に躓きがあった。
There was a hitch in the plan.
彼のキャリアは若い頃の躓きを乗り越えて、大きく成長した。
His career grew enormously after overcoming setbacks in his younger years.
The noun form of the verb 躓く (to stumble). Used both literally for physical tripping and figuratively for any kind of failure, mistake, or setback. The figurative use is especially common in business, career, and project contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 躓きの石: stumbling block; obstacle
- 躓きを乗り越える: to overcome a setback
- 最初の躓き: the first stumble; initial setback
- 思わぬ躓き: an unexpected setback
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 挫折: frustration; setback — implies being crushed or giving up, stronger emotional impact
- 失敗: failure — a broader, more neutral term for any kind of failure
- 障害: obstacle; hindrance — focuses on the blocking element rather than the act of stumbling