1.
barrier; wall; obstacle
A physical or figurative wall that blocks progress or separates things. Used for trade barriers, language barriers, social obstacles, and literal walls or partitions.
Compound of 障 (to obstruct) + 壁 (wall). Used in both concrete and abstract senses.
Common collocations
- 障壁を乗り越える (to overcome a barrier)
- 障壁を取り除く (to remove a barrier)
- 言葉の障壁 (language barrier)
- 貿易障壁 (trade barrier)
- 心理的障壁 (psychological barrier)
Similar words
壁 (wall) is more colloquial and can also mean "barrier" figuratively. 障壁 is more formal and tends to appear in written or official contexts. 障害 (obstacle/impediment) is broader and includes non-wall-like hindrances.