Meaning and Usage
The verb "塞がる" (ふさがる) primarily means "to be blocked," "to be plugged up," or "to be occupied." It is an intransitive verb, so it describes a state rather than an action done by the subject.
Common Contexts
- Physical blockage: such as a nose being congested or a road being closed.
- Being occupied or busy: for example, hands being full or a schedule being fully booked.
Collocations and Patterns
- 鼻が塞がる: nose is blocked (common when having a cold or allergies).
- 道が塞がる: road is blocked (used in traffic or construction contexts).
- 手が塞がる: hands are busy (used to express being occupied with something).
Register and Nuance
"塞がる" is neutral and commonly used in both casual and formal contexts. It is often used in everyday conversation to describe physical or metaphorical blockage.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "塞がる" (intransitive) with "塞ぐ" (ふさぐ), which is transitive and means "to block" or "to close." Remember that "塞がる" describes the state of being blocked, while "塞ぐ" describes the action of blocking something.