Japanese word

支障

Pronunciation

Romajishishō

Meaning

  • nounhindrance

Example

大雨で電車の運行に支障が出ています。ō ame de den sha no un kō ni shi shō ga de te i ma su

Heavy rain is disrupting train service.

Illustration for 支障 (hindrance)

More examples

睡眠不足は、日中の集中に支障をきたします。sui min fu soku wa nit chū no shū chū ni shi shō o ki ta shi ma su

Lack of sleep interferes with concentration during the day.

Core concept

It presents an unwanted condition as an obstacle that interferes with the smooth continuation of something.

Common phrases

  • 支障が生じるshi shō ga shō ji ru

    problems arise

  • 支障なくshi shō na ku

    without hindrance

Similar words

障害shōgai: An obstacle or problem that makes normal progress difficult.
妨げsamatage: A factor that gets in the way of an activity or process.
差し支えsashitsukae: A difficulty or inconvenience that interferes with an action or arrangement.

Definition in Japanese

物事を行う際に生じる妨げとなる事柄。mono goto o okona u sai ni shō ji ru samata ge to na ru koto gara

Word origin

支障 (shishō) combines 支 (shi, "support") with 障 (shō, "barrier"), forming a Sino-Japanese word for a barrier that interferes with progress.

Usage tips

  • 支障がない (shishō ga nai) means that nothing interferes with an activity, so the word often describes whether plans can proceed normally.

Other meanings

  • obstaclenoun
  • difficultynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word