ostacolo

obstacle

noun oh-STAH-koh-loh Less Common

Origin: from Latin 'obstaculum'

Also means

hurdle

Usage Note

Ostacolo is masculine and stresses the second syllable, a frequent pitfall for learners. In athletics, i 110 metri a ostacoli are the hurdles, and superare un ostacolo means 'to overcome an obstacle'.

Examples

"Il fiume è un ostacolo naturale."

Natural Translation

The river is a natural obstacle.

Literal Translation

The river is an obstacle natural.

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