obstacle; hindrance; impediment
Refers to something that interferes with progress or smooth operation; often used in formal or business contexts.
The construction noise is causing problems for the neighborhood's daily life.
The construction delay caused an obstacle to the plan.
資金不足が事業の支障となっている。
The lack of funds is a hindrance to the project.
The typhoon caused disruptions to transportation.
I don't think this change will cause any problems for the work.
Noise becomes a hindrance to work.
妨げ is a more direct, everyday word for something that obstructs, whereas 支障 is slightly more formal and typical of business or official language.
差し支え and 支障 both mean a problem that prevents things from going smoothly, but 差し支え is used more in polite everyday speech (差し支えなければ), while 支障 favors formal/business contexts.
不都合 refers to something inconvenient or improper for a situation, while 支障 focuses more narrowly on something blocking a process from proceeding.
railway crossing emergency button
Composed of 支 (branch, support, obstruct) and 障 (hinder, block). The combination conveys the idea of something that obstructs or interferes.