Meaning and Usage
"詰まる" (つまる) primarily means "to be blocked" or "to be packed/full." It is commonly used to describe physical blockages, such as pipes or noses, as well as abstract blockages like speech or schedules.
Common Contexts
- Physical blockage: When something like a drain or nose is clogged.
- Being packed: When a schedule or space is fully occupied.
- Speech hesitation: When someone is at a loss for words or stammers.
Collocations and Patterns
- "排水管が詰まる" (はいすいかんがつまる): the drainpipe is clogged.
- "スケジュールが詰まる": the schedule is packed.
- "言葉に詰まる": to be at a loss for words.
Register and Nuance
"詰まる" is a neutral verb used in both formal and informal contexts. It often implies a negative situation, such as inconvenience or difficulty caused by blockage or fullness.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "詰まる" with "詰める" (つめる), which means "to pack" or "to fill" actively. Remember, "詰まる" is intransitive (something gets blocked or packed), while "詰める" is transitive (someone packs or fills something).