verb

impedir

stop · block · prevent

Hacer que algo no ocurra o evitar que alguien realice una acción.

Definition & meaning

The verb impedir means to stop, hinder, prevent, or block an action or a process from happening. It implies putting an obstacle in the way so that something cannot be carried out successfully.

There are two primary ways to understand this verb:

To physically or abstractly obstruct someone or something from doing an activity.
To make something impossible to occur, often by means of a prohibition or a physical barrier.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

impedir is a transitive verb.
It follows an irregular conjugation pattern (e-ie stem change in the present tense, e-i change in the preterite).
It is often used with the preposition "que" followed by the subjunctive mood to indicate preventing someone from performing an action.

Word origin: The word comes from the Latin impedire, which is composed of in- (in/into) and pes, pedis (foot). Literally, it meant "to shackle the feet" or "to entangle the feet," which evolved into the figurative meaning of obstructing or hindering movement or progress.