ungehinderte

Ungehinderte is a German adjective used to describe something that is not impeded or restricted, i.e., that proceeds without obstacles. It can apply to physical movement, access, perception, processes, or rights. In modern usage, ungehindert is the common form when the word functions as a predicate or adverb (Der Zugang war ungehindert; Die Durchfahrt war ungehindert möglich). When the adjective is declined before a noun, the attributive form ungehinderte is used (eine ungehinderte Passage, ungehinderte Bewegungsfreiheit).

Etymology and form: The term is built from un- (negation) and gehindert (past participle of hindern, “to hinder”). The base relates to hindern, with the prefix un- signaling absence of hindrance. The form ungehinderte appears in attributive position before feminine or plural nouns and follows standard German adjective declension rules.

Usage and context: Ungehinderte is common in formal, legal, or policy-related language as well as in technical writing, where a condition or route is described as free from obstacles. It is closely related to synonyms such as ungehindert, ohne Hindernisse, and frei von Hindernissen, though the exact nuance may differ slightly by context. In some contexts, ungehindert may be preferred over unbehindert, which more directly contrasts with disability-related meanings.

Notes: The word should not be confused with behindert, which in modern German primarily carries a disability-related sense. While ungehindert and unbehindert can overlap in meaning, their use is guided by precision of context and connotation.

See also: hindern, behindern, behindert, ungehindert, unbehindert, frei von Hindernissen.