Translation guide
Expresses that progress, action, or a plan is obstructed or made difficult by some factor. Japanese often uses passive, intransitive, or potential forms to convey this naturally.
To say that something is being obstructed or made difficult, often by external factors.
Passive form of 妨げる (to obstruct). This is the most direct and common way to say 'be hindered'. It implies an external agent or factor causing the hindrance.
悪天候で工事が妨げられた。
The construction was hindered by bad weather.
His plan was hindered by a lack of funds.
Passive of 阻む (to block, to prevent). Often used for more forceful or physical obstruction, like a path being blocked.
大雪で交通が阻まれた。
Traffic was hindered by heavy snow.
Passive of 邪魔する (to disturb, to interfere). Implies being bothered or interrupted, often by a person. More casual than 妨げられる.
仕事中に何度も邪魔された。
I was hindered (interrupted) many times during work.
Literally 'become an obstruction to ~'. Used to say that something hinders or is a hindrance to something else.
騒音が勉強の妨げになる。
Noise hinders studying.
To express that progress is not smooth due to obstacles.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be delayed'. Often used when something is hindered in terms of time or schedule.
工事の進行が遅れている。
The progress of the construction is being hindered (delayed).
Intransitive verb meaning 'to stagnate' or 'to be held up'. Used for processes that are not flowing smoothly.
To express that a hindrance prevents an action from being completed.
Pattern meaning 'to be unable to do ~'. Implies an ongoing state of being hindered from doing something.
資金不足でプロジェクトを進められずにいる。
We are hindered from proceeding with the project due to lack of funds.
Explicitly states that something is hindered by something else and therefore cannot do something.
悪天候に妨げられて出発できない。
We are hindered by bad weather and cannot depart.
English passive 'be hindered' often corresponds to Japanese intransitive verbs or potential forms rather than a direct passive. For example, 'I was hindered by the noise' is more naturally '騒音で集中できなかった' (I couldn't concentrate because of the noise) than a literal passive.
妨げられる is more formal and often used for abstract or large-scale hindrances (plans, progress). 邪魔される is casual and typically refers to personal interruptions or disturbances.
突然の方針変更で計画が妨げられた。
Our plans were hindered by the sudden change in policy.
彼女は経験不足に足を引っ張られていると感じていた。
She felt hindered by her lack of experience.
Uses idiomatic expression 足を引っ張る (to hold back, to hinder).
交渉が滞っている。
Negotiations are being hindered (stalled).