stumbling
word · lemma: stumble
Definition
Moving unsteadily as if about to fall, often because you hit something or lose your balance. It can also mean having difficulty speaking or making progress.
Usage & Nuances
Used as an adjective or gerund. Common in phrases like 'stumbling block' (obstacle) or 'stumbling over words.' It can be literal (physical movement) or figurative (speaking, progress). Not formal; conversational use.
Spanish: tropezando - tambaleandoPortuguese (BR): tropeçando - cambaleandoPortuguese (PT): tropeçar - cambalearChinese (Simplified): 绊倒 - 踉跄Chinese (Traditional): 絆倒 - 踉蹌Hindi: ठोकर खाना - लड़खड़ानाArabic: يتعثر - يتلعثمBengali: হাঁটতে গিয়ে হোঁচট খাচ্ছে - কথা বলার সময় জড়াচ্ছেRussian: спотыкаясь - запинаясьJapanese: つまずいている - 言葉に詰まっているVietnamese: đi loạng choạng - vấp (lời nói, bước chân)Korean: 비틀거리는 - 말을 더듬는Turkish: tökezleyen - sendeleyen - kekelemekte olanUrdu: ٹھوکر کھاتا ہوا - بات کرنے میں اٹک رہاIndonesian: terhuyung-huyung - tersendat-sendat
Example Sentences
She kept stumbling over her words during the speech.
basic
The child is stumbling because his shoes are untied.
basic
I kept stumbling through my presentation because I was so nervous.
natural
Watch your step, you’re stumbling a lot tonight.
natural
He found himself stumbling over the answer during the interview.
natural
He was stumbling on the uneven road.
basic