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.
言葉の障壁を乗り越える。
To overcome the language barrier.
関税は貿易の障壁となっている。
Tariffs have become a barrier to trade.
新規参入を妨げる障壁を取り除くことが必要だ。
It is necessary to remove barriers that prevent new entrants.
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.