This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
B2 noun 12 min read

barrera

Examples
Explanation barrera in your Level:
At the A1 beginner level, the word barrera is introduced as a simple physical object. You learn that a barrera is something that stops you from walking or driving somewhere. For example, if you are walking in the street and there is a big hole, workers will put a barrera around it so you do not fall in. If you drive a car and you need to pay to use a big road, you stop at a place, give money, and then the barrera goes up so your car can pass. It is a very visual word at this stage. You can point to a gate or a fence and call it a barrera. You also learn that it is a feminine word, so you say la barrera (the barrier) or una barrera (a barrier). If there are many, you say las barreras. The pronunciation is simple, but you need to roll the double 'r' in the middle: ba-RRE-ra. You might practice sentences like: La barrera está cerrada (The barrier is closed) or La barrera es roja (The barrier is red). It is a noun that helps you describe the physical world around you, especially things related to safety and traffic. Understanding this basic meaning is the first step to using the word correctly in more complex ways later on. You do not need to worry about the abstract meanings yet; just focus on the physical fences and gates you see every day.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 elementary level, you start to use barrera in slightly more complex physical contexts and begin to touch upon its most common metaphorical use. You already know it means a physical gate or fence, like at a train station or a parking lot. Now, you learn to use verbs with it. You can say abrir la barrera (to open the barrier), cerrar la barrera (to close the barrier), or cruzar la barrera (to cross the barrier). For example: El tren viene, la barrera se cierra (The train is coming, the barrier closes). At this level, you also learn one of the most important phrases in language learning: la barrera del idioma (the language barrier). This is very useful because as a language learner, you experience this every day. If you travel to Spain or Mexico and cannot understand the waiter, you are facing la barrera del idioma. You can say: Es difícil viajar por la barrera del idioma (It is difficult to travel because of the language barrier). This introduces you to the idea that a barrera does not always have to be made of wood or metal; it can be a problem with communication. You also practice using adjectives with the word, such as una barrera alta (a high barrier) or una barrera fuerte (a strong barrier). This helps you build more descriptive and useful sentences in your daily conversations.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B1 intermediate level, the use of barrera expands significantly into abstract and metaphorical territories. You are no longer just talking about parking gates; you are discussing social, psychological, and environmental issues. You learn to use stronger verbs with the word, most notably superar (to overcome) and romper (to break). For instance, you might talk about a friend who is very shy and needs to superar una barrera psicológica (overcome a psychological barrier) to speak in public. You will also encounter the term in news and discussions about society. A common phrase is barreras arquitectónicas (architectural barriers), which refers to stairs or narrow doors that make it difficult for people in wheelchairs to enter buildings. You can say: La ciudad necesita eliminar las barreras arquitectónicas (The city needs to eliminate architectural barriers). This level requires you to understand context well. If someone says they hit a barrera, are they talking about a car crash, or are they talking about a problem in their project? You also learn to distinguish barrera from similar words like obstáculo (obstacle) and frontera (border). You know that you cross a frontera between countries, but you overcome a barrera in life. This nuanced understanding allows you to participate in deeper conversations about challenges, achievements, and societal improvements, making your Spanish much more expressive and accurate.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 upper-intermediate level, barrera becomes a versatile tool for discussing complex topics such as economics, science, and interpersonal relationships. You are expected to use the word naturally in a variety of idiomatic and specialized contexts. In economics, you will frequently read and talk about barreras comerciales (trade barriers) or barreras arancelarias (tariff barriers). You can confidently construct sentences like: El nuevo gobierno prometió reducir las barreras comerciales para fomentar la exportación (The new government promised to reduce trade barriers to encourage exports). In science and nature, you will recognize terms like la barrera del sonido (the sound barrier) or la Gran Barrera de Coral (the Great Barrier Reef). You also use the word to describe complex emotional states, such as poner una barrera (putting up a wall) when someone is defensive in a relationship: Después de la discusión, ella puso una barrera entre nosotros (After the argument, she put a barrier between us). At this level, you are highly aware of collocations and register. You know that derribar barreras (tearing down barriers) is a powerful metaphor used in inspiring speeches about equality and progress. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use synonyms like impedimento or traba when appropriate, but you appreciate the specific visual and metaphorical weight that the word barrera brings to a sentence. It is a key word for expressing sophisticated ideas about limitations and breakthroughs.
At the C1 advanced level, your use of barrera is fluid, precise, and highly nuanced, matching that of an educated native speaker. You employ the word effortlessly in academic, professional, and literary contexts. You understand the subtle implications of different types of barriers, such as barreras invisibles (invisible barriers, akin to a glass ceiling) or barreras infranqueables (insurmountable barriers). You can debate complex sociopolitical issues, arguing, for example, about how systemic inequality creates barreras de entrada (barriers to entry) in the job market or higher education. Your sentence structures are complex: La falta de inversión en infraestructura tecnológica constituye una barrera infranqueable para el desarrollo económico de la región (The lack of investment in technological infrastructure constitutes an insurmountable barrier for the economic development of the region). You are also comfortable with the poetic and literary uses of the word, understanding how authors use it to symbolize isolation, protection, or division. You can easily navigate the differences between barrera, obstáculo, escollo, and impedimento, choosing the exact right word for the rhetorical effect you desire. Furthermore, you are familiar with specialized jargon, such as barrera hematoencefálica (blood-brain barrier) in medicine or barrera de potencial in physics, if your interests lie in those fields. The word is fully integrated into your advanced vocabulary arsenal.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 mastery level, barrera is a word you command with absolute authority, manipulating its literal and figurative meanings to craft elegant, persuasive, and culturally resonant discourse. You understand the historical and cultural connotations of the word in different Spanish-speaking regions. You can use it in highly sophisticated rhetorical constructions, playing with the concept of barriers as both protective shields and oppressive confines. You might write an essay analyzing how globalization attempts to erase barreras culturales (cultural barriers) while inadvertently erecting new barreras socioeconómicas (socioeconomic barriers). You are adept at creating your own metaphors using the word, pushing the boundaries of standard collocations to express unique insights. For instance, you might describe a deeply entrenched prejudice as una barrera fosilizada en la psique colectiva (a barrier fossilized in the collective psyche). You can seamlessly transition from discussing the technical specifications of una barrera de contención (a containment barrier) in engineering to analyzing the barreras epistemológicas (epistemological barriers) in philosophical thought. At this level of proficiency, the word barrera is not just a vocabulary item; it is a conceptual tool that you use to articulate the most complex, abstract, and profound ideas with clarity, precision, and stylistic flair, demonstrating complete mastery of the Spanish language.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples
The Spanish word barrera is a highly versatile noun that translates directly to barrier, fence, or obstacle in English. It is a feminine noun, so it is always preceded by feminine articles such as la, una, las, or unas. When you first encounter this word, you might think of it purely in physical terms, such as a wooden fence, a metal gate, or a concrete wall that stops people or vehicles from passing through a specific area. However, its usage extends far beyond physical objects, encompassing a wide array of metaphorical, psychological, and abstract obstacles that individuals or societies face on a daily basis. Understanding the full spectrum of its meaning is crucial for achieving fluency and natural expression in Spanish. Let us begin by exploring the physical applications of the word. In everyday life, you will frequently hear barrera used to describe physical structures designed to control access or provide safety. For example, at a train crossing, the mechanical arm that lowers to prevent cars from crossing the tracks is called a barrera. Similarly, the safety barriers along the edges of a highway or racetrack to prevent vehicles from crashing into the surroundings are also referred to as barreras.

El coche chocó contra la barrera de seguridad.

Physical Barrier
A tangible object that blocks a path, such as a gate or a fence at a crossing.
Moving beyond the physical realm, barrera is incredibly common when discussing abstract or metaphorical obstacles. One of the most frequent collocations you will encounter is la barrera del idioma, which translates to the language barrier. This phrase is used exactly as it is in English to describe the difficulties in communication experienced by people speaking different languages.

Superar la barrera del idioma es esencial para viajar.

Another common figurative use is in the context of psychology and personal development. A barrera psicológica refers to a mental block or a psychological obstacle that prevents someone from achieving their goals or doing something they want to do, such as a fear of public speaking or a lack of self-confidence.
Metaphorical Barrier
An intangible obstacle like language differences or mental blocks that hinder progress.
In the fields of economics and trade, barrera is also a standard term. You will often read about barreras comerciales, which are trade barriers such as tariffs, quotas, or embargoes that countries impose to restrict international trade. In sociology and urban planning, the term barreras arquitectónicas is frequently used to describe architectural barriers that make it difficult for people with disabilities to access buildings or navigate public spaces.

La ciudad está eliminando las barreras arquitectónicas para mejorar la accesibilidad.

Furthermore, in scientific contexts, you might hear about the barrera del sonido (the sound barrier) or the barrera de coral (the coral reef, acting as a natural barrier in the ocean).

El avión rompió la barrera del sonido con un gran estruendo.

Scientific Barrier
Natural or physical limits in science, such as the sound barrier or natural reefs.

La Gran barrera de Coral es impresionante.

As you can see, whether you are talking about a physical gate stopping a train, a psychological fear holding someone back, a language difference complicating a conversation, or an economic policy restricting trade, the word barrera is the perfect choice to convey the concept of an obstacle or boundary.
To use the word barrera correctly and naturally in Spanish sentences, it is important to familiarize yourself with the verbs and adjectives that commonly accompany it. Because barrera represents an obstacle, the verbs most frequently paired with it involve actions related to creating, encountering, or overcoming that obstacle. One of the most positive and common verbs to use with barrera is superar, which means to overcome. When you talk about successfully dealing with a difficult situation, a language difference, or a mental block, you use superar.

Con mucho esfuerzo, logramos superar la barrera inicial de comunicación.

Superar una barrera
This means to overcome a barrier, used for both physical and abstract obstacles.
Another highly evocative verb used with barrera is romper, meaning to break. This is often used metaphorically to describe destroying a barrier that separates people or limits progress. For instance, breaking the ice in a social situation or breaking down social barriers.

La música tiene el poder de romper cualquier barrera cultural.

When discussing the creation or existence of an obstacle, you will use verbs like poner (to put/place), levantar (to raise/erect), or crear (to create). Poner una barrera can mean to physically place a barrier, but it is also widely used to describe someone putting up an emotional wall to protect themselves.

Después de su mala experiencia, ella puso una barrera emocional entre nosotros.

Poner una barrera
To establish a boundary or obstacle, often used in emotional or defensive contexts.
Conversely, when referring to the removal of obstacles, especially in legal, social, or architectural contexts, the verbs eliminar (to eliminate) and derribar (to knock down/demolish) are very common.

El gobierno prometió derribar las barreras comerciales este año.

You will also frequently encounter barrera modified by specific adjectives that define the type of obstacle. We already mentioned barrera arquitectónica (architectural barrier) and barrera comercial (trade barrier). Other important adjective pairings include barrera invisible (invisible barrier, often referring to a glass ceiling or unspoken rule), barrera natural (natural barrier, like a mountain range or a river), and barrera infranqueable (insurmountable barrier).

Las montañas actúan como una barrera natural contra los vientos fríos.

Barrera natural
A geographical feature that naturally prevents movement, such as mountains or oceans.
Understanding these verb and adjective pairings allows you to construct sophisticated and nuanced sentences. Instead of just saying that a barrier exists, you can describe how it was erected, how it affects people, and how it can eventually be broken down or overcome, enriching your Spanish communication significantly.
The word barrera is ubiquitous in the Spanish-speaking world, and you will encounter it across a wide variety of contexts, from casual conversations to formal news reports. Because it covers both literal and figurative meanings, its presence in daily discourse is vast. If you watch the news in Spanish, you are almost guaranteed to hear this word. In political and economic segments, reporters frequently discuss barreras arancelarias (tariff barriers) or barreras comerciales (trade barriers) when talking about international relations, imports, and exports.

El nuevo tratado busca eliminar las barreras aduaneras.

News and Politics
Used to discuss policies, trade restrictions, and international borders.
In social news or documentaries, the topic of accessibility is very prominent, bringing the phrase barreras arquitectónicas into the spotlight. Activists and citizens often demand the removal of these architectural barriers so that wheelchair users and the elderly can navigate cities safely.

La rampa fue construida para sortear esa barrera física.

You will also hear barrera frequently in sports commentary. In football (soccer), when a team is awarded a free kick near the penalty area, the opposing team forms a line of players to block the shot. This human wall is called la barrera. The commentator might shout about the ball hitting the barrier or a player jumping in the barrier.

El jugador disparó, pero el balón rebotó en la barrera.

Sports Context
In soccer, the line of defending players during a free kick is called a barrera.
In the realm of transportation and travel, barrera is an everyday word. Toll booths on highways have barriers that lift when you pay. Train crossings have barriers that lower when a train approaches. Parking garages have barriers at the entrance and exit.

Por favor, espere a que se levante la barrera del peaje.

Finally, in casual conversations about personal relationships or travel experiences, people talk about emotional barriers or the language barrier. If someone is difficult to get to know, a friend might say they have an emotional barrier. If someone travels to a country where they do not speak the language, they will definitely talk about facing the language barrier.

A pesar de la barrera del idioma, nos hicimos muy buenos amigos.

Interpersonal Context
Used to describe the invisible walls people build or the communication issues they face.
By paying attention to these different contexts, you will quickly realize how essential the word barrera is for understanding the world around you in Spanish.
When learning the word barrera, English speakers often make a few predictable mistakes, mostly stemming from direct translation issues or confusion with similar Spanish words. By being aware of these pitfalls, you can use the word with much greater accuracy and confidence. One of the most common mistakes is confusing barrera with the word frontera. While both can translate to border or boundary in certain English contexts, their usage in Spanish is strictly separated. Frontera specifically refers to the geopolitical border between two countries or regions. Barrera refers to an obstacle or a fence. You would never say barrera to mean the border between Mexico and the United States; you must use frontera.

Cruzamos la frontera (not barrera) entre España y Francia.

Frontera vs Barrera
Frontera is a geopolitical border. Barrera is a physical or abstract obstacle.
Another frequent area of confusion is choosing between barrera, valla, and muro. All three can be translated as types of fences or walls, but they have distinct characteristics. Un muro is a solid, usually thick wall made of stone, brick, or concrete (like a house wall or a retaining wall). Una valla is typically a lighter fence, often made of wood or wire, used to enclose a garden or a field. Una barrera is specifically an obstacle designed to block passage, like a toll gate or a safety rail, and is the word used for metaphorical obstacles.

Pintaron la valla del jardín, pero el coche chocó contra la barrera de la carretera.

Metaphorical Usage
Barrera is the only correct choice for abstract concepts like language or psychology.
A grammatical mistake that learners sometimes make is related to gender agreement. Because barrera ends in -a, it is a feminine noun. Therefore, any articles or adjectives used with it must also be feminine. It is incorrect to say el barrera or un barrera. It must always be la barrera, una barrera, and adjectives must match, such as una barrera alta (a high barrier).

Construyeron una barrera inmensa para proteger la costa.

Finally, English speakers sometimes try to use the English idiom to be on the fence (meaning to be undecided) by translating it literally to estar en la barrera. This does not make sense in Spanish. To express indecision, a Spanish speaker would say estar indeciso or dudar.

Estoy indeciso sobre qué hacer, no estoy en la barrera.

Idiom Warning
Do not translate English fence idioms directly using barrera.
Avoiding these common mistakes will make your Spanish sound much more authentic and precise.
Expanding your vocabulary means not just knowing the word barrera, but also understanding its synonyms and related terms. This allows you to choose the most precise word for any given situation, adding nuance and depth to your Spanish. Let us explore some of the most common alternatives to barrera and when it is best to use them. The most direct synonym for barrera in the sense of an obstacle is obstáculo. Obstáculo is a very broad term that means anything that stands in the way or hinders progress. While a barrera often implies a continuous line or a structured block, an obstáculo can be a single object, a difficult person, or a specific problem.

Su falta de experiencia fue un gran obstáculo, más que una simple barrera.

Obstáculo
A general hindrance or impediment, often less structured than a barrera.
Another excellent alternative is impedimento, which translates to impediment or hindrance. This word is slightly more formal and is often used in legal, medical, or administrative contexts. For example, a physical disability might be described as an impedimento físico, whereas the stairs preventing access would be the barrera arquitectónica.

No hay ningún impedimento legal para cruzar esta barrera.

When talking about physical boundaries, we have already discussed valla (fence) and muro (wall). Another related word is cerca, which is very similar to valla and refers to a fence or enclosure, typically around a house or a piece of land.

Saltaron la cerca del jardín porque la barrera principal estaba cerrada.

Cerca and Valla
Used for residential or agricultural fences, rather than safety or access barriers.
If you want to express the idea of a limit or a boundary in a more abstract sense, the word límite is perfect. Límite translates to limit or boundary and is used to define the edge of something, whether it is a physical space, a person's patience, or a mathematical concept.

Todo tiene un límite, no podemos empujar esta barrera para siempre.

Finally, the word traba is a colloquial term for a hurdle or a snag. It is often used in the plural, poner trabas, which means to put up obstacles or to make things difficult, usually in a bureaucratic or administrative sense.

El gobierno pone muchas trabas burocráticas, creando una verdadera barrera para los emprendedores.

Traba
A bureaucratic or intentional hurdle designed to slow down a process.
By mastering these alternatives, you will be able to describe challenges, boundaries, and obstacles with incredible precision in Spanish.
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

La barrera está cerrada.

The barrier is closed.

'Está' is used for physical states; 'cerrada' agrees in gender with 'barrera'.

2

Veo una barrera roja.

I see a red barrier.

Adjective 'roja' follows the noun 'barrera'.

3

El coche para en la barrera.

The car stops at the barrier.

'En' is used as the preposition for 'at' in this context.

4

La barrera es de metal.

The barrier is made of metal.

'Es de' indicates material composition.

5

No pases la barrera.

Do not pass the barrier.

Negative imperative 'no pases'.

6

Hay una barrera en la calle.

There is a barrier in the street.

'Hay' means 'there is'.

7

La barrera se levanta.

The barrier goes up.

Reflexive verb 'levantarse' used for the action of the object.

8

Una barrera grande.

A big barrier.

'Grande' is gender-neutral and follows the noun.

1

Tenemos que esperar a que abran la barrera.

We have to wait for them to open the barrier.

Subjunctive 'abran' used after 'esperar a que'.

2

La barrera del idioma es difícil.

The language barrier is difficult.

'Barrera del idioma' is a fixed phrase.

3

El perro saltó la barrera.

The dog jumped the barrier.

Preterite tense 'saltó' for a completed action.

4

Pusieron una barrera para proteger a los niños.

They put up a barrier to protect the children.

Preterite 'pusieron' from 'poner'.

5

La barrera del tren está bajando.

The train barrier is going down.

Present progressive 'está bajando'.

6

No puedo ver por la barrera.

I can't see because of the barrier.

'Por' indicates cause or reason here.

7

Rompieron la barrera de madera.

They broke the wooden barrier.

'De madera' describes the material.

8

La barrera de seguridad es amarilla.

The safety barrier is yellow.

'De seguridad' acts as an adjective phrase.

1

Logró superar la barrera del miedo y habló en público.

He managed to overcome the barrier of fear and spoke in public.

'Superar' is the standard verb for overcoming abstract barriers.

2

Las barreras arquitectónicas dificultan la vida de muchas personas.

Architectural barriers make life difficult for many people.

'Arquitectónicas' must agree in gender and number.

3

El sonido de la explosión rompió la barrera del sonido.

The sound of the explosion broke the sound barrier.

'Romper la barrera del sonido' is a specific scientific collocation.

4

Crear una barrera emocional no te ayudará a sanar.

Creating an emotional barrier will not help you heal.

Infinitive 'crear' used as the subject of the sentence.

5

La policía formó una barrera humana para detener a la multitud.

The police formed a human barrier to stop the crowd.

'Barrera humana' describes people acting as a wall.

6

Esa montaña actúa como una barrera natural contra el viento.

That mountain acts as a natural barrier against the wind.

'Actuar como' means 'to act as'.

7

Eliminar las barreras comerciales beneficiará a la economía.

Eliminating trade barriers will benefit the economy.

'Comerciales' refers to trade and commerce.

8

En el fútbol, la barrera debe estar a cierta distancia.

In soccer, the wall must be at a certain distance.

In sports context, 'barrera' refers to the defensive wall.

1

La falta de educación es una barrera infranqueable para el progreso social.

The lack of education is an insurmountable barrier to social progress.

'Infranqueable' means impossible to cross or overcome.

2

El gobierno impuso nuevas barreras arancelarias a las importaciones tecnológicas.

The government imposed new tariff barriers on technological imports.

'Arancelarias' specifically relates to tariffs and taxes.

3

Derribar las barreras de género en el mundo corporativo es una prioridad.

Tearing down gender barriers in the corporate world is a priority.

'Derribar' implies forcefully bringing down a structure or concept.

4

Su actitud defensiva levanta una barrera que impide cualquier diálogo constructivo.

His defensive attitude raises a barrier that prevents any constructive dialogue.

'Levantar una barrera' is used metaphorically for creating distance.

5

La Gran Barrera de Coral está sufriendo graves daños por el cambio climático.

The Great Barrier Reef is suffering severe damage from climate change.

Proper noun phrase 'Gran Barrera de Coral'.

6

La innovación tecnológica ha roto las barreras geográficas en la comunicación.

Technological innovation has broken geographical barriers in communication.

Present perfect 'ha roto' shows a completed action with present relevance.

7

Las barreras de entrada a ese mercado son demasiado altas para las pequeñas empresas.

The barriers to entry in that market are too high for small businesses.

'Barreras de entrada' is a specific economic term.

8

Tratamos de sortear la barrera burocrática, pero fue imposible.

We tried to bypass the bureaucratic barrier, but it was impossible.

'Sortear' means to bypass, navigate around, or dodge.

1

La barrera hematoencefálica protege al cerebro de sustancias tóxicas en la sangre.

The blood-brain barrier protects the brain from toxic substances in the blood.

Highly specialized medical terminology.

2

El autor utiliza el río como una barrera simbólica entre la vida y la muerte.

The author uses the river as a symbolic barrier between life and death.

'Simbólica' highlights literary analysis.

3

La disonancia cognitiva actúa como una barrera para la asimilación de nueva información.

Cognitive dissonance acts as a barrier to the assimilation of new information.

Academic vocabulary used in psychology.

4

Es imperativo desmantelar las barreras sistémicas que perpetúan la desigualdad.

It is imperative to dismantle the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequality.

'Desmantelar' is a sophisticated verb for removing complex structures.

5

El tratado busca la supresión paulatina de las barreras no arancelarias.

The treaty seeks the gradual suppression of non-tariff barriers.

'Supresión paulatina' and 'no arancelarias' belong to advanced formal register.

6

Su timidez patológica erigió una barrera impenetrable a su alrededor.

His pathological shyness erected an impenetrable barrier around him.

'Erigió' is a formal synonym for 'levantó' or 'construyó'.

7

La barrera de potencial en física cuántica describe un fenómeno fascinante.

The potential barrier in quantum physics describes a fascinating phenomenon.

Specific scientific jargon in physics.

8

Superar las barreras epistemológicas es fundamental para el avance científico.

Overcoming epistemological barriers is fundamental for scientific advancement.

'Epistemológicas' refers to the theory of knowledge.

1

La retórica del demagogo no hizo más que exacerbar las barreras sectarias preexistentes.

The demagogue's rhetoric did nothing but exacerbate the pre-existing sectarian barriers.

Complex syntax and highly advanced vocabulary ('exacerbar', 'sectarias').

2

El poema explora la futilidad de erigir barreras contra el inexorable paso del tiempo.

The poem explores the futility of erecting barriers against the inexorable passage of time.

Literary tone using words like 'futilidad' and 'inexorable'.

3

En el ámbito jurídico, la presunción de inocencia constituye una barrera infranqueable contra la arbitrariedad del Estado.

In the legal realm, the presumption of innocence constitutes an insurmountable barrier against the arbitrariness of the State.

Formal legal register and precise collocations.

4

La obra deconstructivista desafía las barreras convencionales entre el espacio interior y exterior.

The deconstructivist work challenges the conventional barriers between interior and exterior space.

Art and architecture critique terminology.

5

La hiperinflación actuó como una barrera insalvable para la estabilización macroeconómica del país.

Hyperinflation acted as an insurmountable barrier to the macroeconomic stabilization of the country.

Advanced economic analysis vocabulary.

6

El lingüista argumentó que la diglosia crea barreras sociolingüísticas casi imperceptibles pero profundamente arraigadas.

The linguist argued that diglossia creates almost imperceptible yet deeply rooted sociolinguistic barriers.

Academic linguistic terminology ('diglosia', 'sociolingüísticas').

7

La diplomacia coercitiva se estrelló contra la férrea barrera de la soberanía nacional.

Coercive diplomacy crashed against the iron barrier of national sovereignty.

Metaphorical use of 'férrea' (iron-like) in a political context.

8

Traspasar la barrera de la alteridad requiere un ejercicio de empatía radical y desprendimiento del ego.

Crossing the barrier of alterity requires an exercise in radical empathy and detachment from the ego.

Philosophical discourse using 'alteridad' (otherness).

Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!