Przeszkadza

Przeszkadza is the third-person singular present tense form of the Polish verb przeszkadzać, which means to hinder, to interfere with, or to bother. The verb is imperfective, describing ongoing or repeated hindrance, and is commonly used to express that something makes it difficult to do something or to proceed with a task.

Etymology-wise, przeszkadzać comes from the noun przeszkoda (obstacle) with the prefix prze- and the verb suffix -ać. The related perfective form is przeszkodzić, used for a one-time or completed hindrance.

Usage and examples: This verb can describe interference in various domains. Examples include: "To przeszkadza w nauce." (This interferes with studying.) "Hałas przeszkadzał mu w pracy." (The noise hindered him at work.) "Co ci przeszkadza?" (What is bothering you? / What is hindering you?)

Grammatical notes: Przeszkadzać often governs the structure w czymś (in something) to mark the area of hindrance, as in "przeszkadzać w nauce." It can also take a dative object to indicate the person affected, e.g., "przeszkadza mi" (it bothers me) or "przeszkadza mu" (it bothers him).

Nuances and synonyms: The verb is closely related to utrudniać (to make harder), blokować (to block), and zakłócać (to disrupt). In everyday language, it can refer to physical obstacles or to abstract interferences such as noise, delays, or social annoyances.

See also: nie przeszkadzać (do not disturb). The distinction between imperfective przeszkadzać and perfective przeszkodzić guides whether the hindrance is viewed as ongoing or as a single, completed act.