impedir

Senses

1. 1.

   to prevent; to stop

   to make something impossible or hinder its occurrence

2. 2.

   to block; to obstruct

   to physically or figuratively get in the way of someone or something

3. 3.

   to forbid; to prohibit

   to tell someone they cannot do something

Examples

• "A chuva impediu o jogo de futebol."

  The rain prevented the football match (from happening).

• "Nada pode impedir nosso sucesso."

  Nothing can prevent our success.

• "O pai impediu o filho de sair à noite."

  The father forbade his son from going out at night.

Usage

A common verb in Portuguese. Often followed by the infinitive (impedir + infinitivo) or by the preposition "de" + infinitive (impedir de + infinitivo), though "impedir" + infinitive is more standard. Can be reflexive (se impedir) when the subject prevents themselves from doing something.