Translation guide
How to express being stuck somewhere with no way to leave, or being left without resources or help.
You are in a place and cannot leave because there is no bus, train, flight, etc., or your vehicle broke down.
You are in a situation where you have no money, no place to stay, or no means to continue.
Someone has left you alone in a tough spot, or you feel deserted.
Passive form of 'to abandon.' Strongly conveys being stranded by someone who should have helped.
友達に見捨てられて、知らない町で一人になった。
I was stranded by my friend and left alone in an unfamiliar town.
Both mean being stuck, but 足止めを食う focuses on the inconvenience of being unable to proceed (often due to external factors like weather or strikes), while 立ち往生する emphasizes the physical inability to move (like a car stuck in mud). 足止めを食う is more colloquial.
台風で新幹線が止まり、東京で足止めを食った。
The shinkansen stopped due to a typhoon, and I was stranded in Tokyo.
雪道で車が立ち往生した。
The car got stuck on the snowy road.
The English 'stranded' does not have a single direct Japanese equivalent. Avoid trying to translate it word-for-word. Instead, describe the situation using phrases like 足止めを食う or 取り残される depending on context.
Literally 'to eat a foot-stop.' A common, slightly informal way to say you are stranded due to transportation issues.
大雪で空港に足止めを食った。
I got stranded at the airport because of heavy snow.
Means to be stuck and unable to move, often used for vehicles stuck in snow or traffic, but also for people stranded in a place.
電車が止まって、駅で立ち往生した。
The train stopped and I was stranded at the station.
Passive form meaning 'to be left behind.' Implies you were stranded because others left without you.
バスが出てしまって、一人取り残された。
The bus left and I was stranded alone.
Literally 'become unable to move.' A general phrase that can be used when stranded due to vehicle trouble or weather.
車が故障して、山の中で動けなくなった。
The car broke down and I was stranded in the mountains.
A set phrase meaning to be stranded without a home or means of living, often used when someone loses their job or home.
突然クビになって、路頭に迷いそうだ。
I was suddenly fired and I'm about to be stranded without a livelihood.
Literally 'hands up.' Means you are stuck and have no idea what to do, often because you lack resources or options.
財布を落として、もうお手上げだ。
I lost my wallet and now I'm stranded.
Means to reach a dead end or be stuck in a difficult situation with no way forward.
お金がなくて、旅行中に行き詰まった。
I ran out of money and was stranded during my trip.
Passive of 'to leave behind.' Often used when someone deliberately strands you.
彼に空港で置き去りにされた。
I was stranded at the airport by him.
The English 'stranded' does not have a single direct Japanese equivalent. Avoid trying to translate it word-for-word. Instead, describe the situation using phrases like 足止めを食う or 取り残される depending on context.