障
zhàng
to block
to hinder; to obstruct
wall/mound (阝) + sound hint (章) = to block or obstruct
The left component 阝 represents an earthen mound or wall, grounding the idea of something physically standing in the way. 章 mainly contributes the sound zhāng; the meaning comes entirely from the barrier image on the left.
这条河成了一道障碍，阻止人们通过。
zhè tiáo hé chéng le yī dào zhàng'ài，zǔzhǐ rénmen tōngguò。
this river became an obstacle, stopping people from passing through.
语言不通会形成障碍，让双方很难沟通。
yǔyán bù tōng huì xíngchéng zhàng'ài，ràng shuāngfāng hěn nán gōutōng。
a language barrier can form, making it very hard for both sides to communicate.
Words with 障
避障
bì zhàng
(of a robot, autonomous vehicle etc) to avoid obstacles
边缘性人格障碍
biān yuán xìng rén gé zhàng ài
borderline personality disorder (BPD)
阅读障碍
yuè dú zhàng ài
dyslexia
障蔽
zhàng bì
to obstruct
障壁
zhàng bì
barrier
障眼
zhàng yǎn
to hinder the eyesight; (fig.) to trick into not noticing
障眼法
zhàng yǎn fǎ
diversionary tactic; smokescreen
障碍
zhàng ài
barrier
障碍性贫血
zhàng ài xìng pín xuè
aplastic anemia (med.)
障碍滑雪
zhàng ài huá xuě
(snow skiing) slalom
障碍物
zhàng ài wù
obstacle
障碍跑
zhàng ài pǎo
steeplechase (athletics)