Readings: ショウ (Onyomi), さわ.る, さわ.り (Kunyomi)
Meaning: obstacle, barrier, hinder, harm, injury
The kanji 障 (shō) is a phono-semantic compound. The left radical 阜 (こざとへん, kozatohen) represents a mound or an elevation, often associated with hills or earth, implying something that blocks or obstructs. The right component 章 (shō), while itself meaning “chapter” or “pattern,” functions primarily as a phonetic component providing the “shō” sound. It also subtly contributes to the meaning by depicting a “screen” or “partition,” something that separates or hides, reinforcing the idea of an impediment or barrier. Together, these components clearly convey the core meaning of “obstacle,” “barrier,” “hinder,” or “block.”
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 障 has 14 strokes. It begins with the left radical 阜 (kozatohen), which has three strokes. The right part, 章, follows, starting with a dot, then horizontal strokes, vertical strokes, and finally closing the bottom.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 阜 (こざとへん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 14 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | N/A |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ショウ (Shō)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- さわる (Sawaru)
- さわり (Sawari)
Common Words Using 障
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 障害 | しょうがい | obstacle, impediment, disability |
| 故障 | こしょう | breakdown, failure, accident |
| 支障 | ししょう | hindrance, impediment, difficulty |
| 障壁 | しょうへき | barrier, wall |
| 障子 | しょうじ | paper screen |
| 保障 | ほしょう | guarantee, security, assurance |
| 障がい者 | しょうがいしゃ | disabled person |
| 防障 | ぼうしょう | prevention of obstacles |
| 無障碍 | むしょうがい | barrier-free |
| 障難 | しょうなん | obstacle, difficulty |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 障る | さわる | to hinder, to obstruct, to affect (negatively) |
| 障り | さわり | hindrance, obstacle, impact (negative, noun) |
| 気に障る | きにさわる | to offend, to displease |
| 目障り | めざわり | eyesore, unpleasant to look at |
| 耳障り | みみざわり | harsh on the ears, unpleasant to listen to |
| 差し障り | さしさわり | hindrance, impediment, inconvenience |
| 障る所 | さわるどころ | affected area (e.g., in body) |
| 障りがでる | さわりがでる | (a problem) to arise/appear |
| 障りが無い | さわりがない | without hindrance |
| 風邪が障る | かぜがさわる | a cold takes hold/aggravates (a condition) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この問題は計画に大きな障壁となっている。
Kana: このもんだいはけいかくにおおきなしょうへきとなっている。
Romaji: Kono mondai wa keikaku ni ōkina shōheki to natte iru.
English: This problem is a major barrier to the plan.
Japanese: 車が故障して動かなくなった。
Kana: くるまがこしょうしてうごかなくなった。
Romaji: Kuruma ga koshō shite ugokanaku natta.
English: The car broke down and stopped moving.
Japanese: 彼の言動が私の気に障った。
Kana: かれのげんどうがわたしのきにさわった。
Romaji: Kare no gendō ga watashi no ki ni sawatta.
English: His words and actions offended me.
Japanese: 交通障害のため、電車が遅れている。
Kana: こうつうしょうがいのため、でんしゃがおくれている。
Romaji: Kōtsū shōgai no tame, densha ga okurete iru.
English: The train is delayed due to a traffic impediment.
Japanese: その音は耳障りで、集中できなかった。
Kana: そのおとがみみざわりで、しゅうちゅうできなかった。
Romaji: Sono oto ga mimīzawari de, shūchū dekinakatta.
English: That sound was harsh on my ears, and I couldn’t concentrate.
Japanese: 彼女は視覚障がい者だ。
Kana: かのじょはしかくしょうがいしゃだ。
Romaji: Kanojo wa shikaku shōgaisha da.
English: She is visually impaired.
Japanese: この件に関して、特に支障はありません。
Kana: このけんにかんして、とくにさしさわりはありません。
Romaji: Kono ken ni kanshite, tokuni shishō wa arimasen.
English: There are no particular issues regarding this matter.
Japanese: 障子を開けて庭を眺めた。
Kana: しょうじをあけてにわをながめた。
Romaji: Shōji o akete niwa o nagameta.
English: I opened the paper screen and gazed at the garden.
Japanese: 健康に障るようなことはしないほうがいい。
Kana: けんこうにさわるようなことはしないほうがいい。
Romaji: Kenkō ni sawaru yō na koto wa shinai hō ga ii.
English: You shouldn’t do things that could harm your health.
Japanese: 災害時の食料保障が重要だ。
Kana: さいがいじのしょくりょうほしょうがじゅうようだ。
Romaji: Saigaiji no shokuryō hoshō ga jūyō da.
English: Food security during disasters is important.
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