How to say "obstacle" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 障害しょうがいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe general word for an obstacle or impediment: something that blocks progress or gets in the way, whether a physical barrier on a path or an abstract hindrance to a plan.
- 邪魔じゃまnoun, na-adjective, suru verb, transitive verbSomething or someone that gets in the way of what you are doing; the emphasis falls on nuisance or interference rather than on a challenge to be overcome.
- 支障ししょうnounAn impediment that disrupts the smooth running of work, plans, or operations; it points to practical interference with how things proceed, not to a barrier standing in one's path.
- 難関なんかんnounA formidable hurdle between you and a goal: a difficulty that demands real effort to get past, framing the obstacle as a challenge to be conquered.
- 壁かべnounLiterally a wall; figuratively, a barrier that seems to block your progress completely, the kind you hit and must somehow climb over or break through.
Use 障害 for a general obstacle or impediment, 邪魔 for something getting in your way as a nuisance, 支障 for disruption to plans or work, 難関 for a formidable hurdle, and 壁 for a figurative wall blocking progress.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 障害しょうがいobstacle
- 邪魔じゃまhindrance
- 支障ししょうobstacle
- 難関なんかんbarrier
- 当たり障りあたりさわりobstacle
- 邪魔者じゃまものobstacle
- 障害物しょうがいぶつobstacle
- 妨害物ぼうがいぶつobstacle
- 障礙しょうげobstacle
- 障りさわりhindrance
- 差し障りさしさわりhindrance
- 壁かべbarrier
- バリアobstacle
- 障壁しょうへきobstacle
- 故障こしょうproblem
- ハードルhurdle
- 関門かんもんhurdle
- 狭き門せまきもんhigh barrier (to enter a highly competitive school, company, etc.)
- つかえobstacle
- 荊棘けいきょくobstacle
See also
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