交通渋滞にはまる
get stuck in traffic
직역: traffic (交通) congestion (渋滞) in (に) get stuck/fit into (はまる)
Use this phrase to explain delays caused by road congestion in both casual and professional settings.
15초 만에
- Used when you are trapped in a car or bus.
- Combines 'traffic' with the verb for 'getting stuck'.
- A very common and polite excuse for being late.
뜻
This phrase describes the frustrating experience of being trapped in a sea of unmoving cars. It is the perfect, universally understood excuse for being late to almost anything.
주요 예문
3 / 6Texting a friend you are meeting for lunch
ごめん！渋滞にはまっちゃって、10分くらい遅れる。
Sorry! I got stuck in traffic, so I'll be 10 minutes late.
Calling the office before a meeting
事故のせいで交通渋滞にはまり、到着が遅れそうです。
I'm stuck in traffic due to an accident and will likely arrive late.
Complaining to a spouse after a long day
帰り道、ひどい渋滞にはまって本当に疲れたよ。
I got stuck in a terrible jam on the way home and I'm exhausted.
문화적 배경
In Japan, being on time is a core social value. However, traffic is the one excuse that is almost always accepted because everyone has experienced the nightmare of holiday 'U-turn rushes' on the expressways. The verb 'hamaru' originally means to fit into a hole, which perfectly captures the feeling of being trapped.
Shorten it for speed
In casual speech, you can drop 'Koutsuu' (traffic) and just say 'Juutai ni hamaru'. Everyone knows what you mean!
Not for trains!
Even if the train is packed and not moving, never use 'juutai'. Use 'chien' (delay) or 'unyu teishi' (service suspended) instead.
15초 만에
- Used when you are trapped in a car or bus.
- Combines 'traffic' with the verb for 'getting stuck'.
- A very common and polite excuse for being late.
What It Means
Imagine you are driving to a fun party. Suddenly, the brake lights ahead turn bright red. You aren't moving anymore. That is 交通渋滞にはまる. The word はまる usually means to fit into something perfectly, like a puzzle piece. In this context, it means you are 'fitted' into a traffic jam. You cannot escape. It feels like being caught in a trap.
How To Use It
This phrase is very easy to plug into sentences. You just need the particle に to show where you are stuck. You can say 交通渋滞にはまっています to mean 'I am currently stuck.' If you want to sound casual with friends, use 渋滞にはまっちゃった. The ちゃった ending adds a bit of 'oops' or regret. It makes you sound more human and less like a textbook.
When To Use It
Use this when you are running late. It is a very common excuse in Japan. You can use it when texting a friend. You can use it when calling your boss. It works for highway jams or city street gridlock. If you are sitting in a taxi and the meter is ticking, this is your phrase. It is great for small talk about your morning commute too.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if the traffic is just moving slowly. If you are still driving at a decent pace, you aren't 'stuck.' Also, do not use it for train delays. Trains have their own special words like 遅延. If you say you are 'stuck in traffic' while on a train, people will be confused. They might think your train magically turned into a bus!
Cultural Background
Japan has some of the most intense traffic jams in the world. During 'Golden Week' in May, highways can have 50-mile-long jams. People actually prepare for this with snacks and portable toilets. The phrase はまる captures that feeling of being part of a massive, unmoving machine. It is a shared national struggle during every holiday season.
Common Variations
If you want to sound more formal, use 渋滞に巻き込まれる. This means 'to be caught up in traffic.' It sounds like you are a victim of circumstances. For a very short version, just say 渋滞中. This means 'currently in traffic.' It is perfect for a quick text when you can't type much while driving.
사용 참고사항
This phrase is safe for all levels of formality as long as the verb ending is adjusted. Use 'hamaru' for the act of getting stuck and 'hamatte iru' for the state of being stuck.
Shorten it for speed
In casual speech, you can drop 'Koutsuu' (traffic) and just say 'Juutai ni hamaru'. Everyone knows what you mean!
Not for trains!
Even if the train is packed and not moving, never use 'juutai'. Use 'chien' (delay) or 'unyu teishi' (service suspended) instead.
The 'Hamaru' Secret
The word 'hamaru' is also used for being obsessed with a hobby, like 'Anime ni hamaru' (I'm stuck/hooked on anime)!
예시
6ごめん！渋滞にはまっちゃって、10分くらい遅れる。
Sorry! I got stuck in traffic, so I'll be 10 minutes late.
Uses the casual 'chatta' form to show regret.
事故のせいで交通渋滞にはまり、到着が遅れそうです。
I'm stuck in traffic due to an accident and will likely arrive late.
Uses the formal 'masu' form for a professional setting.
帰り道、ひどい渋滞にはまって本当に疲れたよ。
I got stuck in a terrible jam on the way home and I'm exhausted.
Adds 'hidoi' (terrible) to emphasize the frustration.
連休だから、やっぱり渋滞にはまったね。
It's a long holiday, so we got stuck in traffic as expected.
Uses 'yappari' to show it was a predictable situation.
渋滞にはまったと言いたいけど、実は寝坊しました。
I want to say I got stuck in traffic, but I actually overslept.
A playful way to admit the truth while using the phrase.
あそこの交差点は、いつも渋滞にはまるから嫌ですね。
I hate that intersection because I always get stuck in traffic there.
General statement about a recurring problem.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct particle and verb form to say 'I got stuck in traffic.'
事故で交通渋滞___ ___。
The particle 'ni' is used with 'hamaru' to indicate the state you fell into.
Which word specifically means 'traffic congestion'?
___にはまって、動けません。
'Juutai' specifically refers to the congestion or the jam itself.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 'Traffic' Phrases
Short and punchy for friends.
渋滞にはまった！
Safe for most daily situations.
交通渋滞にはまりました。
Used in business or news reports.
渋滞に巻き込まれました。
When to say 'Traffic Jam'
Calling your boss
I'll be late for the meeting.
Texting a date
Don't order yet, I'm stuck!
Holiday travel
Stuck on the highway for hours.
Taxi ride
Telling the driver it's okay.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Technically yes, but 'hamaru' implies being really stuck. For a tiny delay, just saying 道が混んでいる (the road is crowded) sounds more natural.
Not really. Most Japanese people just say 渋滞にはまる. Adding 交通 makes it sound slightly more descriptive or formal.
はまる is neutral and common. 巻き込まれる means 'to be caught up in,' which sounds like you are a victim of a larger accident or event.
Yes! Whether you are driving, in a taxi, or on a bus, you can use this phrase to describe your situation.
Yes, as long as you use the polite ending: 交通渋滞にはまってしまいました. It is a very standard excuse.
You might say 渋滞気味 (juutai-gimi), which means 'a bit of a jam' or 'tending toward a jam.'
Usually, yes, like falling into a trap. However, in slang, it means you are really into a new hobby or show.
You should use the continuous form: 渋滞にはまっています (juutai ni hamatte imasu).
Not exactly slang, but people often just text 渋滞なう (juutai nau), which uses the borrowed English 'now'.
You could say 道が空いている (michi ga aite iru), which means the roads are empty and clear.
관련 표현
道が混む (The road is crowded)
渋滞に巻き込まれる (To be caught in traffic)
ラッシュアワー (Rush hour)
交通規制 (Traffic restrictions)
ノロノロ運転 (Driving at a snail's pace)
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