Spanish Conversation · Level 53
75 words
Spanish word
impedir
Pronunciation
IPA/impeˈðiɾ/
Meaning
- verbprevent
Example
El ruido me impide dormir.
The noise prevents me from sleeping.
More examples
La niebla impide el acceso al puerto.
The fog prevents access to the port.
Core concept
A lowered gate across a road stopping all traffic.
Common phrases
impedir el paso
prevent passage
impedir el acceso
prevent access
impedir que
prevent from
Similar words
evitar: Avoid an action or situation beforehand so it does not happen.
prevenir: Take measures in advance to stop a problem or event from occurring.
obstaculizar: Make progress or movement difficult by creating physical or procedural barriers.
dificultar: Make a task or action harder to accomplish by increasing obstacles or difficulty.
Definition in Spanish
Evitar que algo suceda o bloquear la realización de una acción mediante un obstáculo o una intervención.
Word origin
Derived from Latin impedīre (in- + ped- 'foot'), literally to shackle the feet, with the sense shifting to obstructing or preventing actions.
Usage tips
- Impedir implies actively blocking or making something impossible, prohibir denotes an official ban, and evitar means to avoid something voluntarily.