zoeng3 ngoi6障礙障碍
Jyutpingzoeng3 ngoi6
Yalejeung ngoih
Definition
An obstacle, barrier, obstruction, or impediment that makes achieving a goal difficult.
neutraldescriptionsother
How it's used
While this term is used in formal contexts like policy or medical discussions, it is also frequently used in daily life to describe personal hurdles or difficulties in achieving a goal. It carries a slightly more serious or objective tone than common words like 難題 or 阻滯. It often appears in professional settings when discussing systemic issues or physical limitations.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He overcame many obstacles before succeeding.
Do you think this is a big obstacle?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 阻礙, which can function as both a noun and a verb. 障礙 is strictly a noun, so you cannot use it to mean 'to obstruct' or 'to hinder' directly.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
