Translation guide
The English verb "obstruct" covers physical blocking, hindering progress, and interfering with processes. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being obstructed and how.
To physically get in the way so that movement or sight is blocked.
General word for blocking a hole, path, or entrance. Can be used for physical objects or body parts.
車が道を塞いでいる。
A car is blocking the road.
彼は手で耳を塞いだ。
He covered his ears with his hands.
To block light, sound, or a view; often implies cutting off or interrupting.
カーテンが光を遮っている。
The curtain is blocking the light.
建物が景色を遮っている。
The building obstructs the view.
To be in the way; often used for people or objects that hinder movement or activity.
その箱が邪魔をしている。
That box is in the way.
すみません、邪魔をしています。
Sorry, I'm in the way.
To make it difficult for something to proceed or succeed.
To hinder or impede; used for abstract things like progress, plans, or operations.
悪天候が救助活動を妨げた。
Bad weather obstructed the rescue efforts.
騒音が集中を妨げる。
Noise obstructs concentration.
To obstruct or thwart; often used for preventing something from happening, with a nuance of active opposition.
Also used for hindering activities or plans, not just physical obstruction.
彼の話が会議の邪魔をした。
His talking obstructed the meeting.
To interfere with official procedures, often with legal consequences.
To obstruct or interfere, commonly used in legal contexts like obstructing justice or an investigation.
彼は捜査を妨害したとして逮捕された。
He was arrested for obstructing the investigation.
証拠隠滅は司法妨害にあたる。
Destroying evidence constitutes obstruction of justice.
Formal term for hindering or impeding, used in legal or technical contexts.
その行為は業務を阻害する。
That act obstructs business operations.
To clog or stop the flow of something.
To clog or block a pipe, drain, etc. Transitive verb.
髪の毛が排水口を詰まらせた。
Hair obstructed the drain.
Intransitive: to become clogged or blocked.
排水口が詰まっている。
The drain is obstructed.
Can also be used for blocking pipes or passages.
塞ぐ (ふさぐ) is for physically blocking an opening or path. 遮る (さえぎる) is for cutting off light, sound, or view. 妨げる (さまたげる) is for hindering abstract things like progress or activities.
妨害する (ぼうがいする) implies deliberate interference, often with legal weight. For everyday hindrance, use 邪魔をする or 妨げる.
倒れた木が道を塞いだ。
The fallen tree obstructed the road.
入り口を塞がないでください。
Don't obstruct the entrance.
彼は警察の業務を妨害した罪に問われた。
He was charged with obstructing the police.
His ambition obstructed his success.
高い壁が侵入を阻んでいる。
A high wall obstructs entry.
Something is obstructing the pipe.