Definitions

ài (verb) to hinder; to obstruct; to block

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 碍, meaning "to hinder" or "an obstacle", originates from its traditional form 礙, which is composed of the radical 石 (stone) and the phonetic and semantic component 疑 (to doubt). This structure conceptually linked the idea of a physical obstruction, like a stone blocking a path, with the resulting state of doubt or hesitation. Over the centuries, its application broadened from describing tangible impediments to encompassing abstract hindrances in thought or progress. The modern simplified form 碍 replaced the complex component 疑 with 得, a change that was primarily graphical, though it severed the character's original phonetic link while retaining the core semantic notion of obstruction conveyed by the "stone" radical.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

请你别事。

Qǐng nǐ bié àishì.

Please don't get in the way.

不要妨我。

Bùyào fáng'ài wǒ.

Do not hinder me.

这本书很地方。

Zhè běn shū hěn ài dìfāng.

This book is taking up too much space.

路上有障

Lùshàng yǒu zhàng'ài.

There is an obstacle on the road.

他的行为妨了进展。

Tā de xíngwéi fáng'àile jìnzhǎn.

His behavior hindered the progress.

克服障才能成功。

Kèfú zhàng'ài cái néng chénggōng.

You can only succeed by overcoming obstacles.

这种政策可能会妨经济发展。

Zhè zhǒng zhèngcè kěnéng huì fáng'ài jīngjì fāzhǎn.

This kind of policy might hinder economic development.

尽管存在许多障,他们仍然坚持完成了项目。

Jǐnguǎn cúnzài xǔduō zhàng'ài, tāmen réngrán jiānchí wánchéngle xiàngmù.

Despite the existence of many obstacles, they still persevered and completed the project.