barrera
nounCEFR B2
What does “barrera” mean in English?
barrier, obstacle
barrier, obstacle (something that impedes progress, access, or communication; barreras lingüísticas / culturales)
Example sentences
La barrera del idioma no es meramente comunicativa; también es una barrera cultural que dificulta la integración real.
The language barrier is not purely communicative; it is also a cultural barrier that hinders genuine integration.
Eliminar las barreras arancelarias entre los socios comerciales fue el objetivo central del acuerdo negociado durante años.
Eliminating tariff barriers between trading partners was the central objective of the agreement negotiated over years.
Muchos investigadores señalan que existen barreras invisibles que impiden el ascenso de las mujeres a los puestos de mayor responsabilidad.
Many researchers point out that invisible barriers prevent women from rising to positions of greater responsibility.
How to use it
La barrera (noun, feminine) means 'barrier, obstacle, hurdle' — a physical or metaphorical impediment to access, movement, or progress. At B2 it is common in social-issues, trade, and psychology discourse. Core collocations: la barrera del idioma/cultural/de entrada; levantar/eliminar/superar/derribar una barrera; barreras al comercio; la barrera invisible (the glass ceiling or invisible discrimination). Distinct from obstáculo (an obstacle you encounter) and bloqueo (a deliberate blocking action) — barrera implies a structural or systemic impediment.
Common mistake
Barrera (a structural barrier) vs obstáculo (an obstacle you encounter on the way) vs impedimento (a legal or formal impediment): these overlap but barrera tends to imply something systemic or entrenched. The phrase barrera de entrada is a direct calque of the economics term 'barrier to entry' and is fully established in Spanish business discourse.