搁浅

擱淺
gēqiǎn
verb HSK 7-9 #18,600

Meanings

  1. 1 to run aground; to be stranded
  2. 2 to stall; to reach a deadlock (figurative)

Characters

Literally 'stuck on shallow (water)' - a ship that can't move because the water is too shallow.

Examples

HSK 5
Tánpàn gēqiǎn le, shuāngfāng wúfǎ dáchéng yízhì.
The negotiations have stalled - both sides can't reach an agreement.
HSK 7-9
Nà sōu chuán zài qiǎntān shàng gēqiǎn le.
That ship ran aground on the shoal.

Tips

usage
搁浅 is widely used figuratively for projects, plans, and negotiations that have stalled. 计划搁浅 means a plan has hit a dead end. It's vivid because everyone can picture a ship stuck in shallow water, unable to move forward.

Stroke Order

qiǎn