German word

hindern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhɪndɐn/

Meaning

  • verbprevent

Example

Das schlechte Wetter hindert uns daran, heute spazieren zu gehen.

The bad weather is preventing us from going for a walk today.

Illustration for hindern (prevent)

More examples

Bürokratische Regeln hindern oft innovative Ideen.

Bureaucratic rules often prevent innovative ideas.

Core concept

A barrier blocks a person or process from carrying an intended action through.

Common phrases

  • jemanden daran hindern, etwas zu tun

    prevent someone from doing something

  • etwas hindert jemanden

    Something prevents someone

Similar words

behindern: Something obstructs progress without necessarily stopping the activity entirely.
verhindern: Something stops a planned event from taking place.
verzögern: Something postpones the beginning or continuation of an event or action.
aufhalten: Something stops movement or progress for a limited time.

Definition in German

jemanden oder etwas an einer Tätigkeit hindern, sodass die Tätigkeit ganz oder teilweise nicht ausgeführt wird

Word origin

German hindern developed from a Germanic root related to hinter and English hinder, with an older sense connected to being behind or holding back.

Usage tips

  • The usual pattern is jemanden an etwas hindern, with the person in the accusative and the blocked activity after an in the dative.

Other meanings

  • obstructverb
  • hinderverb
  • impedeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Hindernisobstaclenoun
  • Hinderunghindrancenoun
  • hinderlichhinderingadjective

Word lists with this word