搁浅

• Pinyin: gē qiǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 搁 = 扌 (hand) + 阁 (rest, place); 浅 = 氵 (water) + 戋 (small, shallow)

Meaning

To run aground; (figuratively) to be stranded, stalled, or suspended without a clear path forward.

Literally describes a vessel stuck on shallow ground. Widely used as a metaphor for projects, negotiations, or relationships that have come to a standstill with no immediate way forward. Common in news, business, and literary language.

Examples

1. 那艘满载货物的轮船因导航失误在浅滩搁浅，救援工作持续了整整三天。 A cargo ship loaded to the brim ran aground on a sandbar due to a navigation error, and the rescue operation lasted a full three days.
2. 由于双方在核心条款上分歧过大，合并谈判再度搁浅，复谈时间尚无定论。 Because the two sides were too far apart on the key terms, the merger talks have stalled again, and there’s still no set date to resume negotiations.
3. 原本雄心勃勃的城市改造计划因资金问题搁浅，留下了大片闲置工地。 The ambitious urban renewal plan stalled because of funding problems, leaving large areas of idle construction sites.

Usage Guide

Context: business, news, maritime, figurative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 项目因审批受阻而搁浅，负责人正积极协调各方推动复工。(The project has stalled due to approval obstacles — the person in charge is actively coordinating all parties to resume work.)
• 和平谈判在最后阶段再度搁浅，国际社会对局势深表忧虑。(The peace negotiations stalled again at the final stage, prompting deep concern from the international community.)

Don't Say

• 我的心情搁浅了 — 搁浅 applies to plans, projects, or vessels; for emotional stagnation use 陷入低谷 or 停滞不前 instead

Origin & History

搁 = 扌 + 阁 (rest/place); 浅 = 氵 + 戋 (shallow water) — literally 'to come to rest in shallows'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal