impediment
/ɪmˈpedɪmənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪmˈpedɪmənt/ (ame, ipa) · /im-ˈpe-də-mənt/ (ame, mw)
impediment — 名詞
- impedimentsingular
- impedimentsplural
1. something that delays, blocks, or makes it harder for a person or process to mov
障礙；阻礙
妨礙進展或行動的事物
something that delays, blocks, or makes it harder for a person or process to move forward or achieve a goal — for example, heavy traffic that stops an ambulance, or a legal rule that prevents a company from expanding.
A lack of reliable internet was the main impediment to Wen's online tutoring business.
不穩定的網路是 Wen 的線上家教事業最主要的障礙。
collocation: impediment to [noun phrase]
The flooded road was a serious impediment for the rescue team reaching the village.
淹水的道路對抵達村莊的救援隊來說是一大阻礙。
register: formal; often used with 'serious' / 'major'
Boris considered his shyness an impediment to making friends in a new city.
Boris 認為自己的害羞是他在新城市交朋友的障礙。
The judge ruled that the outdated zoning law was an impediment to building affordable housing.
法官裁定，過時的區域劃分法規是興建平價住宅的障礙。
After the accident, Suki had a speech impediment that required months of therapy.
那場車禍之後，Suki 出現了言語障礙，需要數個月的治療。
- obstacle
the closest synonym; obstacle is slightly more concrete (something you can walk around), while impediment can be abstract or physical.
- barrier
suggests something that completely blocks progress rather than just slowing it down.
- hindrance
less formal than 'impediment'; suggests something that slows progress rather than stopping it entirely.
文法句型
impediment + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'to' + noun phrase (an impediment to progress, an impediment to communication). The fixed phrase 'speech impediment' refers to a physical or psychological difficulty with speaking. This sense is more common in formal writing than in everyday conversation.