Translation guide
A standoff is a situation where two sides are in a deadlock, confrontation, or stalemate, often with tension or hostility. This guide covers how to express this concept naturally in Japanese, from direct standoffs to metaphorical deadlocks.
交渉は膠着状態です。
The negotiations are at a standoff.
警察と犯人がにらみ合っています。
There's a standoff between the police and the suspect.
Describing a tense situation where two parties are facing each other, neither willing to back down, often in conflicts, negotiations, or disputes.
Literally 'stuck state', this is the most common and neutral term for a deadlock or stalemate in any context, from military to business.
交渉は膠着状態に陥った。
The negotiations reached a standoff.
A standoff where both sides are glaring at each other, implying a tense face-off. Often used for physical confrontations or intense rivalries.
警察と犯人のにらみ合いが続いている。
The standoff between the police and the suspect continues.
Formal or literary term for standing face-to-face in opposition. Often used in historical or dramatic contexts.
両軍は川を挟んで対峙した。
The two armies stood off across the river.
Variant of 膠着状態, same meaning but slightly less common. Used in news and formal writing.
議論はこう着状態のままだ。
The debate remains at a standoff.
A deadlock where no moves are possible, like in chess. Often used in business or strategy contexts.
プロジェクトは手詰まり状態だ。
The project is at a standoff.
Specifically referring to a situation involving weapons, police, or military forces in a tense, potentially violent deadlock.
Refers to a barricade situation or siege, often involving a hostage-taker or armed suspect holed up. The most direct term for a police standoff.
銀行で立てこもり事件が発生した。
A standoff situation occurred at the bank.
Specifically a hostage standoff. Used in news reports.
人質立てこもりは10時間続いた。
The hostage standoff lasted 10 hours.
Literally 'gun battle', but can imply a standoff with exchange of fire. Use only when shooting is involved.
Only use if actual shooting occurs; not for a tense but non-violent standoff.
A standoff in international relations, politics, or diplomacy where neither side yields.
Same as above, widely used for political deadlocks.
両国間の交渉は膠着状態だ。
The negotiations between the two countries are at a standoff.
Impasse or deadlock, emphasizing that progress has stopped. Common in political and business contexts.
A situation in sports or games where scores are tied or no one can gain advantage.
A draw or tie in a game. Not exactly a standoff, but used when the result is a deadlock.
試合は引き分けに終わった。
The game ended in a standoff.
Loanword for 'tie'. Common in sports commentary.
スコアはタイのままだ。
The score remains a standoff.
The English word 'standoff' does not have a single direct equivalent. Using スタンドオフ is not natural in most contexts. Choose the term based on the type of deadlock.
にらみ合い implies a visual, often hostile face-off, while 膠着状態 is a more abstract deadlock. Use にらみ合い for physical confrontations and 膠着状態 for situations like negotiations or stalemates.
警察との銃撃戦の末、犯人は投降した。
After a standoff with gunfire, the suspect surrendered.
和平協議は行き詰まりを見せている。
The peace talks are showing a standoff.
Loanword from English 'deadlock'. Used in business and politics, but slightly less natural than native terms.
議会はデッドロックに陥っている。
The parliament is in a standoff.
Back-and-forth with no decisive progress, like a seesaw battle. Used in sports and games.
試合は一進一退の攻防が続いている。
The game continues in a standoff with attacks and defenses.