impedir

to prevent

verb eem-peh-DEER Less Common

Also means

to block

Usage Note

Impedir is an -ir stem-changing verb (e→i): impido, impides, impide… It is typically followed by an infinitive or a que + subjunctive: impidió que entraran ('he prevented them from entering'). Unlike prevenir ('to prevent by prior action'), impedir focuses on blocking something in progress. Common collocations: impedir el paso ('to block the way').

Examples

"La policía impidió el paso a los manifestantes."

Natural Translation

The police blocked the way for the protesters.

Literal Translation

The police blocked the passage to the protesters

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Say "I Like" in Spanish: Gustar Without the Confusion

Say I like in Spanish with gustar the right way: me gusta vs me gustan, why it's never yo gusto, the pronouns, articles, and five verbs that copy the pattern.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Tener in Spanish: Why You're Hungry, Cold & 30 Years

In Spanish you HAVE hunger, cold, and 30 years — not are them. Master tener expressions like tengo hambre, tengo frío, and tengo 30 años in one rule.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

How to Roll Your Rs in Spanish (Even If You Can't Yet)

Roll your Rs in Spanish by building from the butter sound you already make, then adding airflow. A step-by-step method, minimal pairs, and self-check drills.

June 3, 2026 7 min read

SpanishNow

Por vs Para in Spanish: One Mental Model, No Acronyms

Por looks backward at cause and path; para looks forward at goal and destination. Master por vs para in Spanish with one mental model — no acronyms needed.

June 3, 2026 6 min read