1Something that blocks progress or achievement; an obstacle or hindrance.
資金不足が新事業の障害になっている。
A lack of funds is proving to be an obstacle to the new venture.
言葉の壁が留学生活の障害となることがある。
The language barrier can be an obstacle to life abroad as a student.
そのプロジェクトには予想外の障害がいくつも立ちはだかった。
Several unexpected obstacles stood in the way of that project.
交渉を進める上での最大の障害は、双方の不信感だった。
The biggest obstacle to moving the negotiations forward was mutual distrust.
2A condition involving impaired or abnormal physical or mental function; often written with a mixed kanji-kana spelling 障がい in modern usage to soften the term.
彼女は幼い頃から視覚に障害がある。
She has had a visual impairment since she was young.
発達障害について正しい知識を持つことが大切だ。
It's important to have accurate knowledge about developmental disorders.
障がいのある人が働きやすい環境づくりが求められている。
There is a need to create environments where people with disabilities can work comfortably.
事故の後遺症で、手に軽い障害が残った。
As an aftereffect of the accident, he was left with a mild impairment in his hand.
3In horse racing, a shorthand for steeplechase — a race involving jumping over fences and ditches.
今日のメインレースは障害戦だ。
Today's main race is a steeplechase.
あの馬は障害に強く、これまで何度も優勝している。
That horse is strong at steeplechase and has won many times before.
4A shorthand for an obstacle race held at sports events or school athletics days, where runners overcome a series of obstacles.
運動会の障害は、毎年子どもたちに人気の種目だ。
The obstacle race at sports day is a popular event with kids every year.
障害では、網くぐりやタイヤ跳びなどの関門がある。
The obstacle race includes challenges like crawling under a net and hopping through tires.