阻 zǔ — to hinder; to block; to obstruct
大雪阻挡了我们前进的路。Dà xuě zǔ dǎng le wǒ men qián jìn de lù.The heavy snow blocked our way forward.
Common words: 阻止 (zǔ zhǐ)、阻碍 (zǔ ài)、阻挡 (zǔ dǎng)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "to obstruct"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "to obstruct", including 阻 (zǔ), 障 (zhàng), 碍 (ài). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "to obstruct" covers 3 different Chinese characters — 阻 (zǔ), 障 (zhàng), 碍 (ài) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 3 characters do not share a sound — their readings span zǔ, zhàng, ài — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 阻 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 阻 zǔto hinder; to block; to obstructUseful words: 阻止, 阻碍
- 障 zhàngto block; to hinder; to obstructUseful words: 障碍, 保障
- 碍 àito hinder; to obstruct; to blockUseful words: 阻碍, 妨碍
Common words for these 3 "to obstruct" characters
Anchor each of these 3 characters in a word you can picture — start with 阻 (zǔ) — so "to obstruct" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
阻止zǔ zhǐto prevent; to block阻碍zǔ àito obstruct; to hinder; to block; obstruction阻挡zǔ dǎngto stop; to resist; to obstruct障碍zhàng àibarrier; obstruction; hindrance; impediment保障bǎo zhàngto ensure; to guarantee; to safeguard故障gù zhàngmalfunction; breakdown; defect; shortcoming阻碍zǔ àito obstruct; to hinder; to block; obstruction妨碍fáng àito hinder; to obstruct障碍zhàng àibarrier; obstruction; hindrance; impediment
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 3 ways to say "to obstruct".
障 zhàng — to block; to hinder; to obstruct
这道障碍并没有难倒大家。Zhè dào zhàng ài bìng méi yǒu nán dǎo dà jiā.This obstacle did not stump everyone.
Common words: 障碍 (zhàng ài)、保障 (bǎo zhàng)、故障 (gù zhàng)
碍 ài — to hinder; to obstruct; to block
这棵大树挡在路中间，妨碍了交通。Zhè kē dà shù dǎng zài lù zhōng jiān, fáng ài le jiāo tōng.This big tree stands in the middle of the road and obstructs traffic.
Common words: 阻碍 (zǔ ài)、妨碍 (fáng ài)、障碍 (zhàng ài)
All 3 characters
Open 阻、障、碍 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.