Translation guide
To reach a point where no progress can be made because of a disagreement or deadlock.
To describe a situation where talks or negotiations have stopped making progress due to disagreement.
To describe a situation where one cannot proceed due to a mental block or lack of ideas.
行き詰まる is a general verb for reaching a deadlock, suitable for everyday conversation. 膠着状態 is a noun phrase often used in formal writing or news to describe a prolonged stalemate.
会議が行き詰まった。
The meeting hit a deadlock.
会議は膠着状態だ。
The meeting is at an impasse.
A common and natural way to say that a situation has reached a deadlock. Can be used for negotiations, projects, or personal situations.
交渉が行き詰まってしまった。
The negotiations have reached an impasse.
A more formal expression meaning 'to fall into a stalemate'. Often used in news or business contexts.
和平交渉は膠着状態に陥っている。
The peace talks have reached an impasse.
Literally 'to become hand-blocked', meaning to run out of options or moves. Often used when all possible actions have been exhausted.
対策が手詰まりになった。
We've reached an impasse with our countermeasures.
A metaphorical expression meaning 'to run aground on a reef'. Used for plans or negotiations that have hit a major obstacle.
その計画は暗礁に乗り上げた。
The plan has reached an impasse.
Same as above, but also very natural for personal creative blocks or life situations.
研究が行き詰まっている。
My research has reached an impasse.
Literally 'to boil down', but often used to mean reaching a dead end in thinking or discussion. Note: some people misuse it to mean 'to reach a conclusion', but the standard meaning is 'to be stuck'.
Some native speakers use this to mean 'to reach a conclusion', but careful usage treats it as 'to be stuck'.
アイデアが煮詰まってしまった。
I've run out of ideas and reached an impasse.
Means 'to be blocked in all directions'. Stronger than 行き詰まる, implying no way out.
状況は八方塞がりだ。
We've reached a complete impasse.