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Obstacle，Barrier，Hurdle，Impediment，Roadblock，Handicap，Hindrance
障碍。
🚩obstacle是“阻碍前进的东西或者状况”，它暗含的意思是“使人难以做成某事，但是如果尽力去做，通常是可以做到的”。柯林斯解释为An obstacle is an object that makes it difficult for you to go where you want to go, because it is in your way.，即“阻止前进，或者挡在路上，实实在在的障碍物”，或者是You can refer to anything that makes it difficult for you to do something as an obstacle.，即“其他任何让你做事情困难的东西”。
如：
Most competition cars will only roll over if they hit an obstacle...大多数赛车只有在撞上障碍物时才会翻车。
Overcrowding remains a large obstacle to improving conditions...过分拥挤仍然是改善环境的一大障碍。
To succeed, you must learn to overcome obstacles.必须学会克服困难才能成功。
🚩barrier暗含的意思则是“让人几乎做不成某事，因为它使得人们无法做出尝试”，所以经常翻译为“壁垒”。它可以指实实在在的“栅栏”，或者“挡板，屏障”。也可以指“某种条文、法律、政策使人不能做某事情”，A barrier is something such as a rule, law, or policy that makes it difficult or impossible for something to happen or be achieved.；或者“使两个人或者团体意见不能达成一致或者不能沟通的某个问题”，A barrier is a problem that prevents two people or groups from agreeing, communicating, or working with each other.。
如：
The demonstrators broke through heavy police barriers...示威者们冲破了警察的重重设防。
...a severe storm, which destroyed a natural barrier between the house and the lake... 猛烈的暴风雨摧毁了房子和湖之间的一道天然屏障
The packaging must provide an effective barrier to prevent contamination of the product. 包装必须提供有效的保护，以免产品受污染。
Duties and taxes are the most obvious barrier to free trade.关税和税收是自由贸易的最大壁垒。
There is no reason why love shouldn't cross the age barrier...爱没有理由不能跨越年龄的阻碍。
🚩hurdle是“跨栏赛跑”，所以它当障碍、难关暗含的意思是“可以克服的，一些列问题中的一个”。柯林斯解释为A hurdle is a problem, difficulty, or part of a process that may prevent you from achieving something.。
如：
Two-thirds of candidates fail at this first hurdle and are packed off home... 三分之二的候选人在第一个难关就败下阵来，只好打包回家了。
The weather will be the biggest hurdle so I have to be ready. 天气将会是最大的障碍，所以我必须要作好准备。
🚩impediment用法很正式，是“妨碍，阻碍某事物的活动、发展、进步的人或物”。它也专门指“言语上的障碍，口吃”。柯林斯解释为Something that is an impediment to a person or thing makes their movement, development, or progress difficult.。
如：
He was satisfied there was no legal impediment to the marriage.这一婚姻没有任何司法上的障碍，他对此很满意。
John's slight speech impediment made it difficult for his mother to understand him.约翰有轻微的言语障碍，这令母亲很难理解他的话。
🚩roadblock本义是实实在在的路障，尤其是指警方或者军队设置的路障。在美式英语中，也有“阻止某一项计划推进的事物”，朗文解释为something that stops the progress of a plan。它常用在新闻英语中。
如：
The city police set up roadblocks to check passing vehicles.该市警察设置了路障以检查过往车辆。
The project faces legal roadblocks.该项目面临法律上的障碍。
🚩handicap本来的意思是“生理或智力上的障碍，残疾”，它也可以指“不利条件”，尤其是指“缺乏技巧、知识、经验等造成的不利因素、障碍”。柯林斯解释为A handicap is an event or situation that places you at a disadvantage and makes it harder for you to do something.。
如：
She was away from school for 15 weeks, a handicap she could have done without...她有15周没上学，这给她带来了本不该有的障碍。
Not speaking the language proved to be a bigger handicap than I’d imagined.事实证明，不会讲这种语言造成的障碍比我想象的要大。
🚩hindrance用法很正式，是指“造成妨碍的人或物”。柯林斯解释为A hindrance is a person or thing that makes it more difficult for you to do something.，它常用单数形式。
如：
The higher rates have been a hindrance to economic recovery... 高利率已经成为经济复苏的障碍。
You would be more of a hindrance than a help. 你帮不上忙，反倒会碍事。
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