How to Say "Hurdle" in Spanish

obstáculo

/obsˈtakulo/

The English phrase hurdle translates to Spanish as obstáculo.

Meaning: obstacle (noun)

Which one should you use?

While obstáculo refers to an abstract or physical obstacle, the word valla is used specifically for a physical hurdle or fence.

In Spain, the word valla can refer to both the physical hurdle used in track and field and the concept of a hurdle or obstacle.

The noun obstáculo is masculine and takes the definite article el. The plural form of obstáculo is obstáculos.

/obsˈtakulo/

The word valla, used for a track and field hurdle, is also the standard term for a billboard or advertising hoarding in many Spanish-speaking countries.
While obstáculo describes a general hindrance, you might use the word traba if you are specifically complaining about a bureaucratic or procedural hurdle.
The word valla is a homophone of vaya, which is a form of the verb 'ir' to go. This can lead to common spelling errors in written Spanish.

El equipo de atletismo superó todos los obstáculos para llegar a la competencia final.
The track and field team overcame all the hurdles to reach the final competition.
El proyecto se enfrentó a varios escollos antes de finalmente ser aprobado.
The project faced several hurdles before being approved.
Tuve que superar muchas dificultades antes de alcanzar mis metas.
I had to overcome many hurdles before reaching my goals.
El obstáculo más grande para el éxito es considerar cada dificultad como un impedimento insuperable.
The biggest hurdle to success is seeing every difficulty as an insurmountable impediment.
El corredor realizó un perfecto salto de valla en la competencia.
The runner executed a perfect hurdle jump in the competition.
El atleta saltó la valla sin problemas.
The athlete jumped over the hurdle effortlessly.
Superar un obstáculo
To overcome an obstacle
El primer obstáculo es muy difícil.
The first obstacle is very difficult.
No podemos evitar este obstáculo.
We cannot avoid this obstacle.
Superamos cada obstáculo en el camino.
We overcome every obstacle on the way.

Lucía and Mateo are discussing a project at work.

Lucía

Tenemos un problema con el presupuesto.
We have a problem with the budget.
Mateo

Ese es el último obstáculo del plan.
That is the last hurdle of the plan.
Lucía

¿Crees que podemos resolverlo hoy?
Do you think we can solve it today?
Mateo

Sí, Lucía, buscaremos una solución.
Yes, Lucía, we will look for a solution.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏