- 障害 — obstacle; disability
- 故障 — breakdown; malfunction
- 支障 — hindrance; problem
- 障壁 — barrier; wall
- 干渉 — interference
- 障子 — paper sliding door
障 is composed of the 阝 (hill/mound radical) and 章 (badge, symbol, or chapter). It evokes the idea of something standing in the way — either figuratively or literally — acting as a “barrier” or “obstruction.”
雨で 交通に 障りが 出ました。
The rain caused traffic disruptions.
それは 発展の 障害になりました。
That became an obstacle to progress.