unhindered / unobstructed
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unhindered
Without being stopped by obstacles or restricted in movement, progress, or access.
Nach dem Unfall konnten die Rettungskräfte ungehindert zur Unfallstelle gelangen.
After the accident, the rescue workers were able to reach the accident site unhindered.
The word is made up of the prefix 'un-' (negation) and 'gehindert' (hindered), the past participle of 'hindern' (to hinder/prevent). So it literally means 'not hindered' or 'without an obstacle.'
Das Wasser konnte ungehindert abfließen.
The water was able to drain away unhindered.
'Ungehindert' (unhindered) is very often used as an adverb to describe how an action or movement takes place—namely without disruption or blockage.
Die Demonstranten konnten ungehindert durch die Straßen ziehen.
The demonstrators were able to move through the streets unhindered.
Typical nouns combined with 'ungehindert' (unhindered/unobstructed) are 'Zugang' (access), 'Durchgang' (passage), and 'Sicht' (view). For example, you can have 'ungehinderten Zugang zu' (unhindered access to) information or 'eine ungehinderte Sicht auf' (an unobstructed view of) the stage.
Von unserem Balkon aus hatten wir eine ungehinderte Sicht auf das Meer.
From our balcony, we had an unobstructed view of the sea.
free
'frei' and 'ungehindert' can both mean that nothing is stopping someone or something. 'frei' often describes a state: someone is not captured, not restricted, or independent. 'ungehindert' more often describes that movement, access, or a process is possible without an obstacle. The words can be confused because both have to do with a lack of restriction. 'frei' is broader and also fits people or decisions. 'ungehindert' fits especially well when something continues, flows, drives, or can be entered without being blocked.
Durch die offene Tür konnte der Rauch ungehindert ins Treppenhaus ziehen.
Through the open door, the smoke was able to drift unhindered into the stairwell.
Nach vielen Jahren im Käfig ist der Vogel endlich frei.
After many years in a cage, the bird is finally free.