Meaning
to hinder; to obstruct; to prevent; to impede; to interfere with
Nuance & Usage
妨げる means to obstruct or prevent something from proceeding smoothly. 発展を妨げる (to hinder development), 集中を妨げる (to disrupt concentration), 通行を妨げる (to obstruct traffic) are common uses. The noun 妨げ (samatage — obstacle, hindrance) is also used: 妨げになる (to become an obstacle), 妨げなく (without hindrance). Unlike 邪魔する (jama suru — to interrupt/bother, casual), 妨げる is more formal and applies to broader, systemic obstruction as well as personal interference.
Common Mistakes
Learners confuse 妨げる with 邪魔する (jama suru — to bother/interrupt, casual) and 阻む (habamu — to block/prevent, similar but more literary). 妨げる is formal and broad; 邪魔する is casual and personal. 成長を妨げる (to hinder growth) sounds natural; 成長を邪魔する sounds odd. 何ものにも妨げられることなく (without being hindered by anything) is a set formal phrase. The noun form 妨げ appears in: 〜の妨げとなる (to become an obstacle to ~).
Example Sentences
騒音が集中を妨げる大きな要因になっている。
そうおんがしゅうちゅうをさまたげるおおきなよういんになっている。
Noise has become a major factor that hinders concentration.
過度な規制は新たなびじねすへの参入を妨げるという批判もある。
かどなきせいはあらたなびじねすへのさんにゅうをさまたげるというひはんもある。
There is criticism that excessive regulation hinders entry into new businesses.
偏見は人の成長を妨げる最も深刻な壁の一つとされている。
へんけんはひとのせいちょうをさまたげるもっともしんこくなかべのひとつとされている。
Prejudice is considered one of the most serious walls that hinders human growth.
Quick Quiz
N14 questionsTest your knowledge of 妨げる with 4 different question types.
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