Translation guide
How to express that someone or something blocks progress, prevents an action, or obstructs a plan, ranging from physical obstruction to metaphorical interference.
To say that a person, thing, or situation is preventing something from happening or making it difficult to proceed.
The most common and versatile way to say 'stand in the way' or 'get in the way'. Can be used for physical obstruction or interfering with plans.
彼が私の計画の邪魔をした。
He stood in the way of my plans.
A big rock is standing in the way of the road.
Slightly more formal than 邪魔をする. Often used when something becomes an obstacle or hindrance.
その規則が改革の妨げになっている。
The regulation is standing in the way of reform.
Literally 'become an obstacle'. Used in more formal or written contexts to describe something that blocks progress.
資金不足がプロジェクトの障害となった。
Lack of funds stood in the way of the project.
Literally 'stand towering before'. Used when someone or something physically or metaphorically blocks the path in a dramatic or imposing way.
困難が私たちの前に立ちはだかった。
Difficulties stood in our way.
To describe a person or object that is physically positioned so as to prevent passage.
Directly means 'block the way'. Used for physical obstruction.
トラックが道をふさいでいる。
A truck is standing in the way.
Means 'to be in the way' or 'to be a hindrance'. Often used when something is physically obstructing movement.
その箱が邪魔になるから、どけてください。
That box is standing in the way, so please move it.
To say that a person is actively interfering with another person's actions or goals.
Also used for personal interference. Can be used with a person as the object.
彼女はいつも私の邪魔をする。
She always stands in my way.
Idiom meaning 'pull someone's leg', i.e., to hinder someone's efforts or hold them back, often through criticism or lack of support.
彼はチームの足を引っ張っている。
He is standing in the way of the team.
邪魔 is more common in everyday speech and can be used for both physical and metaphorical obstruction. 妨げ is slightly more formal and often used in written contexts or when discussing abstract obstacles like rules or circumstances.
騒音が勉強の邪魔だ。
The noise is standing in the way of my studying. (casual)
騒音が勉強の妨げになっている。
The noise is hindering my studying. (more formal)
Do not translate 'stand in the way' literally as 道に立つ (stand on the road). That only means physically standing on a road and does not convey obstruction. Use 邪魔をする or 道をふさぐ instead.
道に立っている。
I am standing on the road. (not 'standing in the way')
恐怖に邪魔をさせてはいけない。
Don't let fear stand in your way.
真実の愛の邪魔をできるものは何もない。
Nothing can stand in the way of true love.
I am standing on the road. (not 'standing in the way')