Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Hinder" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "hinder", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
差し支える
さしつかえる (sashitsukaeru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
差し障る
さしさわる (sashisawaru)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "hinder" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 差し支える and 差し障る.
In Japanese, 差し支える (さしつかえる (sashitsukaeru)) is typically associated with "to hinder, to interfere, to be inconvenient, to be a problem" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents 邪魔になる、都合が悪くなる、問題が生じるなどの意味で使われます。「差し支えなければ」は「もしよろしければ」という意味の丁寧な表現です。/ Used to mean something becoming a hindrance, inconvenient, or causing a problem. 'Sashitsukaenakereba' is a polite expression meaning 'If it's not too much trouble' or 'If it's alright'..
On the other hand, 差し障る (さしさわる (sashisawaru)) maps to "to hinder; to interfere with; to be a problem; to be inconvenient" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often used in negative contexts, meaning something would cause an issue, inconvenience, or obstacle. '差し障りがある'. A literal translation of "hinder" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "差し支える"
仕事に差し支えるといけないので、徹夜はしない。
I shouldn't stay up all night, as it might interfere with my work.
Bilingual Context for "差し障る"
その件について話しても、何か差し障りがありますか。
Would it cause any problem if I talk about that matter?
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "仕事に ＿＿＿ といけないので、徹夜はしない。" (Meaning: "I shouldn't stay up all night, as it might interfere with my work.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "差し支える" fits here because it means "to hinder, to interfere, to be inconvenient, to be a problem" in the context of: "I shouldn't stay up all night, as it might interfere with my work.". "差し障る" represents "to hinder; to interfere with; to be a problem; to be inconvenient".