障害 — meaning in English: Failure

shōgai · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for disorder

障害

shōgai

領土

ryōdo

コーチ

兄

ani

回路

kairo

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 障害 (shōgai) in discussions related to challenges or failures in various contexts, such as business setbacks or personal struggles. For example, you might hear someone say, 'プロジェクトに障害があった' (There was a failure in the project) during a professional meeting or casually amongst friends reflecting on their experiences.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 失敗 (shippai), which specifically means 'failure' in the sense of making a mistake or not achieving a goal. While 障害 (shōgai) emphasizes the concept of an obstacle or hindrance, 失敗 (shippai) is more focused on the act of failing itself.

Culture

The word 障害 (shōgai) can also refer to physical or mental disabilities, reflecting a broader cultural understanding of challenges in life. Interestingly, the kanji 障 (shō) means 'to hinder' or 'to obstruct,' while the kanji 害 (gai) means 'harm' or 'injury,' indicating a nuanced view of obstacles faced in society.

FAQ

Q.What does 障害 mean in English?

The Japanese word 障害 (shōgai) translates to 'failure' in English, but it can also mean 'obstacle' or 'disability' depending on the context.

Q.How can I use 障害 in a sentence?

You can use 障害 in sentences like '彼は障害を克服しました' (He overcame the obstacle) to convey overcoming challenges, or 'この障害は予想外でした' (This failure was unexpected) when discussing a setback.

Q.Are there common mistakes when using 障害?

A common mistake is confusing 障害 (shōgai) with 失敗 (shippai); while they both relate to failure, understand that shōgai implies an obstacle that hinders progress, whereas shippai refers to a specific mistake.

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