das  Hindernis

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhɪndɐnɪs/

🚧 What exactly is 'das Hindernis'?

Das Hindernis (plural: die Hindernisse) means 'obstacle', 'impediment', 'barrier', or 'hurdle'. It refers to something that stands in the way, makes an action or progress difficult, or prevents it altogether.

It can be:

• A physical object (like a fallen tree, a wall: eine Mauer, a barrier: eine Absperrung).
• An abstract difficulty (like lack of funding: mangelnde Finanzierung, bureaucratic hurdles: bürokratische Hindernisse, personal doubts: persönliche Zweifel).
• A rule or condition (like a legal impediment to marriage: ein Ehehindernis).

Examples:

• Ein umgefallener Baum war ein Hindernis auf der Straße. (A fallen tree was an obstacle on the road.)
• Mangelnde Finanzierung stellte ein großes Hindernis für das Projekt dar. (Lack of funding posed a major obstacle to the project.)
• Beim Hürdenlauf müssen die Athleten Hindernisse überwinden. (In hurdling, athletes must overcome hurdles / obstacles.)

🧐 Grammar of 'das Hindernis' in Detail

Das Hindernis is a noun of neuter gender (das). It declines as follows:

💡 Note: Nouns ending in -nis often double the 's' in the plural (Hindernis -> Hindernisse) and typically take an '-es' ending in the genitive singular.

Example Sentences

1. Das größte Hindernis war die Sprachbarriere. (The biggest obstacle was the language barrier.)
2. Trotz des Hindernisses gaben sie nicht auf. (Despite the obstacle, they didn't give up.)
3. Wir standen vor einem unerwarteten Hindernis. (We faced an unexpected obstacle.)
4. Die Bauarbeiter entfernten das Hindernis. (The construction workers removed the obstacle.)
5. Viele Hindernisse mussten überwunden werden. (Many obstacles had to be overcome.)
6. Die Überwindung der Hindernisse erforderte viel Kraft. (Overcoming the obstacles required a lot of strength.)
7. Sie kämpften gegen zahlreiche Hindernisse an. (They fought against numerous obstacles.)
8. Wir haben alle Hindernisse aus dem Weg geräumt. (We cleared all obstacles out of the way.)

💡 How to use 'Hindernis'?

Das Hindernis is used in many contexts, similar to 'obstacle' or 'hurdle' in English:

• Physical: Referring to tangible barriers. (e.g., a roadblock: eine Straßensperre, a rock in the path: ein Fels im Weg)
• Abstract/Figurative: Referring to difficulties, problems, or challenges. (e.g., financial obstacles: finanzielle Hindernisse, bureaucratic hurdles: bürokratische Hindernisse, emotional barriers: emotionale Hindernisse)
• Sports: Especially in hurdling or equestrian events. (e.g., the hurdles on the track: die Hindernisse auf der Rennbahn)
• Legal/Formal: Referring to conditions or circumstances that prevent something. (e.g., an impediment to marriage: ein Ehehindernis)

It's a common word to describe any kind of blockage or impediment. Related verbs are 'hindern' (to hinder, to prevent someone/something) and 'behindern' (to obstruct, to impede, to handicap).

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Hindernis'

For the article 'das': Think of 'the problem' -> das Problem. An obstacle is often a problem. Or imagine pointing: 'DAS da!' ('THAT thing there!') is a big obstacle! Pointing at a specific 'thing' often uses 'das'. Also, many abstract nouns formed with the suffix '-nis' are neuter ('das Geheimnis' - the secret, 'das Ergebnis' - the result).

For the meaning: The word contains 'hinder'. A Hindernis is something that hinders you from progressing or reaching your goal. It's a stop sign for your plans.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for Hindernis

⚠️ Caution: Not all synonyms are interchangeable in every context. 'Die Hürde' fits well for sports, 'das Hemmnis' more for psychological blocks.

😂 A little joke

German: Warum hat der Computer Probleme, Hindernisse zu überwinden?
Weil er immer an der Firewall hängen bleibt!

English: Why does the computer have trouble overcoming obstacles?
Because it always gets stuck at the firewall!

📜 Poem about Obstacles

German:
Ein Stein liegt schwer auf meinem Pfad,
Das Hindernis, so unbequem und fad.
Doch Mut gefasst, ich weich nicht aus,
Ich spring' hinüber, welch ein Schmaus!
Denn jedes Hemmnis, das man kennt,
Macht stärker den, der trotzdem rennt.

English Translation:
A stone lies heavy on my path,
The obstacle, so inconvenient and drab.
But courage gathered, I don't evade,
I jump right over, what a parade!
For every impediment one knows,
Makes stronger the one who still goes.

❓ Riddle: What is the Hindernis?

German:
Ich steh' im Weg, mal groß, mal klein,
Mach' dir das Weiterkommen schwer, o weh!
Manchmal ein Fels, manchmal nur Schein,
Im Sport und Leben überwindet man mich je.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I stand in the way, sometimes big, sometimes small,
Making progress difficult for you, oh dear!
Sometimes a rock, sometimes just a façade,
In sports and life, people overcome me here.

What am I? (Solution: das Hindernis / the obstacle)

🧩 Other Info: Word Composition

Das Hindernis is composed of:

• The verb hindern: to hinder, prevent, obstruct.
• The suffix -nis: Forms nouns (mostly neuter or feminine) from verbs or adjectives, denoting a state, result, or abstract concept (e.g., 'das Geheimnis' - secret, 'das Ergebnis' - result, 'das Bedürfnis' - need).

So, the meaning is essentially "the result of hindering" or "a state of being hindered".