Translation guide
A blockage is something that obstructs a passage, flow, or process. In Japanese, the best word depends on what is blocked: a physical pipe, a road, a bodily function, or an abstract process.
Something is stuck inside a pipe, drain, or similar narrow passage, preventing flow.
The most common word for a blockage in a pipe, drain, or tube. Often used in everyday situations like a clogged sink.
台所の流しが詰まりを起こしている。
The kitchen sink has a blockage.
排水管の詰まりを直してもらえますか。
Can you fix the blockage in the drain pipe?
A more formal or technical term for blockage, often used in medical or engineering contexts. Implies a complete obstruction.
腸閉塞の症状が出ています。
I have symptoms of an intestinal blockage.
パイプの閉塞が原因で水が流れない。
Water isn't flowing because of a blockage in the pipe.
The noun form of 詰まる, used in casual speech. Often interchangeable with 詰まり but slightly more colloquial.
トイレのつまりを直す方法を教えて。
Tell me how to fix a toilet blockage.
Something is blocking a road, hallway, or entrance, preventing movement.
General word for an obstacle or physical object blocking a path. Not limited to pipes; can be a fallen tree, a parked car, etc.
道路に障害物があって通れない。
There's a blockage on the road and I can't get through.
廊下の障害物を取り除いてください。
Please remove the blockage in the hallway.
The state of being blocked or closed off. Often used for entrances or passages that are obstructed.
Can also be used for roads or passages, but sounds formal and is more common in technical contexts.
A medical condition where a vessel, duct, or passage in the body is obstructed.
Standard medical term for blockage of a blood vessel, intestine, etc. Used in compound words like 血管閉塞 (vascular blockage).
血管閉塞が脳卒中の原因になることがあります。
A vascular blockage can cause a stroke.
腸閉塞の手術を受けました。
I had surgery for an intestinal blockage.
Used in everyday language for minor bodily blockages, like a stuffy nose or constipation. Less formal than 閉塞.
Something is preventing progress in a non-physical sense, like a bureaucratic hurdle or a mental block.
General term for an obstacle or hindrance, often used in abstract contexts like communication barriers or procedural blocks.
コミュニケーションの障害を取り除く必要がある。
We need to remove the blockage in communication.
手続き上の障害で計画が遅れている。
The plan is delayed due to a procedural blockage.
Refers to stagnation or a standstill, implying a blockage that halts progress. Often used for economic or workflow blockages.
A deadlock or impasse, often used when a situation cannot move forward. Implies a more severe blockage.
詰まり is the everyday word for a physical clog, like in a sink or nose. 閉塞 is more formal and often used in medical or technical contexts for complete obstruction. Use 詰まり for casual situations and 閉塞 when precision or formality is needed.
流しの詰まりを直す (casual)
Fix the sink blockage
血管閉塞の治療 (medical)
Treatment for vascular blockage
English 'blockage' in abstract senses (e.g., 'mental blockage') is often better expressed with words like 障害 (obstacle) or 停滞 (stagnation) rather than a direct translation of 'blockage'. Using 詰まり for a mental block would sound odd.
考えがまとまらない (natural)
I have a mental blockage.
入り口の塞がりを何とかしてください。
Please do something about the blockage at the entrance.
トンネルの閉塞により交通が麻痺した。
Traffic was paralyzed due to a blockage in the tunnel.
鼻の詰まりがひどくて眠れない。
I can't sleep because of a nasal blockage.
便秘は腸の詰まりです。
Constipation is a blockage of the intestines.
交渉が停滞している。
Negotiations are at a blockage (stalemate).
仕事の停滞を打破したい。
I want to break through the blockage in my work.
プロジェクトは行き詰まりに陥った。
The project has hit a blockage (dead end).