noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
stalled; stranded; brought to a standstill
Used for vehicles, machines, or systems that stop moving or functioning, often due to a problem. Common in news about traffic or technical failures.
大雪で電車が立ち往生した。
The train was stranded due to heavy snow.
エンジントラブルで車が高速道路
The car stalled on the highway because of engine trouble.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
stumped; at a loss; speechless
Describes a person who is mentally stuck, unable to answer or proceed, often in a conversation or when facing a difficult question.
難しい質問に立ち往生してしまった。
I was stumped by a difficult question.
突然の反論に彼は立ち往生した。
He was at a loss for words at the sudden counterargument.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
dying while standing; dying on one's feet
Literal meaning of the kanji; rare in modern usage, mostly found in historical or dramatic contexts. The word is far more commonly used in the figurative senses above.
伝説では、その武士は立ち往生したと伝えられている。
Legend has it that the warrior died standing on his feet.