impedito

Impedito is an Italian adjective and the past participle of impedire (to prevent, to hinder). It describes something or someone that is hindered or prevented from acting. The form agrees with gender and number: impedito (masc. sing.), impedita (fem. sing.), impediti (masc. pl.), impedite (fem. pl.). In grammar, as a past participle it participates in compound tenses with avere (ho impedito, hai impedito, ha impedito) and can function as a predicate adjective with essere in passive or stative senses, for example: Le strade sono impedite dal maltempo.

As a transitive verb, impedire governs a direct object and a clause: impedire qualcosa a qualcuno; impedire che + congiuntivo. The related noun impedimento denotes an obstacle or hindrance and is used in legal, administrative, or practical contexts to refer to an impediment or disqualification.

Usage notes emphasize that impedito conveys an external or situational hindrance that restricts action or progress. It can describe people temporarily unable to participate in an activity or duty, as well as objects or processes obstructed by conditions or rules. In modern Italian, more specific synonyms may be used depending on nuance, such as ostacolato (obstructed), vietato (forbidden), or escluso (excluded).

Examples:

- La strada è impedita da una frana. (The road is blocked by a landslide.)

- Ha impedito a Maria di partecipare al concerto. (He prevented Maria from participating.)

- L’esame è impedito dal maltempo. (The exam is hindered by bad weather.)

See also: impedire, impedimento, ostacolo.