gehindert

Gehindert is a German adjective and past participle derived from the verb hindern. It denotes that someone or something is impeded, prevented, or blocked from acting, moving forward, or achieving a goal because of an obstacle, constraint, or circumstance. In everyday language it can describe actions or processes: for example, “Aufgrund des Wetters war die Anreise gehindert,” or “Er ist gehindert, das Gelände zu betreten.” The combination “gehindert durch …” is commonly used to specify the cause of the hindrance.

Etymology and grammar: Gehindert comes from hindern with the prefix ge-, forming a participle that can function attributively or predicatively. It can modify a person, a plan, or a procedure, depending on context. In many cases it expresses temporary or situational obstruction rather than a permanent condition.

Usage and nuances: In everyday speech, gehindert emphasizes external obstruction rather than identity. It is not typically used as a label for a person. For disability discourse, more neutral and contemporary language tends to use terms such as Behinderung or formulations like “eine Person mit Behinderung.” In formal or administrative contexts, gehindert is common in phrases like “Der Zeuge ist gehindert, vor Gericht zu erscheinen” or “Die Durchführung des Termins war gehindert durch …,” where the focus is on impediment to action rather than on identity.

See also: hindern; Behinderung.