obstacle to
obstacle to は英検準1級レベルの英単語で、「障壁」という意味があります。発音記号は /ˈɑːbstəkəl tuː/ です。
障壁
解説 Definition
～への障壁や妨げとなるもの。進行・達成を阻む障害を表す。
An obstacle to something is a problem or difficulty that makes it harder to achieve. It can refer to a physical barrier, but it is often used for nonphysical problems such as rules, fear, cost, or lack of skill. The phrase is usually followed by a goal, action, or progress.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
obstacle はまず「前進を止める物」として覚える。barrier や hurdle に近いが、obstacle は物理的な障害物にも、計画・交渉・回復を妨げる抽象的な障害にも幅広く使える語。obstacle to progress / success / recovery の形で覚えると実戦的で、an obstacle to doing のように to の後ろは動詞原形ではなく名詞・動名詞が来る点もセットで押さえると定着しやすい。
Think of an `obstacle` as something standing in front of you on the road. That image works for both real objects and abstract problems, which is why the word is useful in many contexts. Remember natural pairs like `an obstacle to success` or `an obstacle to recovery`. After `to`, expect a noun or `-ing` form, not a base verb.
例文
Language differences are an obstacle to teamwork.
言葉の違いはチームワークの障害になる。
The old law became an obstacle to urban renewal.
その古い法律が再開発の障壁となった。
obstacle to の類義語・関連語
obstacle to の語源・成り立ち Etymology
obstacleはラテン語obstaculum（障害物）から。ob-（前に立ちはだかる）＋stare（立つ）＋-culum（道具・手段の接尾辞）で「前に立ちはだかるもの」が原義。関連語：substance（下に立つもの→実体）、circumstance（周りに立つもの→状況）。進路の前に立つ物が障壁という直感的な語源。
`Obstacle` comes from Latin *obstaculum*, meaning a hindrance, from *ob-* "in front of" and *stare* "to stand." The original image is of something standing in the way. From that concrete sense, `obstacle to` came to mean anything that blocks progress toward a goal. The same Latin root appears in words related to standing and position.
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