Chinese word

障碍

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhàng ài

Meaning

  • nounbarrier

Example

他因为语言障碍很难交流。tā yīn wèi yǔ yán zhàng ài hěn nán jiāo liú

He has trouble communicating because of a language barrier.

Illustration for 障碍 (barrier)

More examples

她努力克服障碍，终于完成了任务。tā nǔ lì kè fú zhàng ài zhōng yú wán chéng le rèn wù

She worked hard to overcome barriers and finally completed the task.

Core concept

A solid block in a path stands for anything that stops movement or makes progress difficult.

Common phrases

  • 语言障碍yǔ yán zhàng ài

    language barrier

  • 克服障碍kè fú zhàng ài

    overcome barriers

  • 无障碍通道wú zhàng ài tōng dào

    barrier-free passageway

Similar words

困难kùn nán: A state or situation in which doing something is difficult.
挑战tiǎo zhàn: A difficult situation or task that tests ability and courage.
难题nán tí: A specific problem that is difficult to solve.
阻力zǔ lì: Resistance that opposes forward movement or change.

Definition in Chinese

妨碍行动、通行或发展，使事情变得困难或无法顺利进行的事物或状态。fáng ài xíng dòng tōng xíng huò fā zhǎn shǐ shì qíng biàn de kùn nán huò wú fǎ shùn lì jìn xíng de shì wù huò zhuàng tài

Word origin

障 (zhàng, "to block") + 碍 (ài, "to hinder") forms a transparent compound for something that gets in the way.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, a noun placed before this word often identifies the area affected, so the problem need not involve a physical object.

Other meanings

  • obstaclenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 障碍物zhàng ài wùobstaclenoun
  • 障碍赛zhàng ài sàiobstacle coursenoun
  • 无障碍wú zhàng àibarrier-freeadjective

Word lists with this word