Concept in Definition ABC

An impasse is a situation in which a problem occurs that makes it difficult to correct evolution for a certain period of time. In this sense, the idea of ​​impasse incorporates two elements.

1) there is a context of some difficulty in which the people involved do not find the solution to problems and

2) this situation refers to a certain period, which is not normally prolonged in excess. If I say "the negotiation of the agreement between employers and workers is at an impasse", it becomes clear that there is a circumstance that find yourself in a quagmire (negotiation) and this has a fixed duration, for example a day or a week (it is not common that the impasse can last a month or one year).

Continuing with the same example, when negotiations between employers and workers reach an agreement, the impasse ceases to exist, since the problem has finally been solved.

Typical situations in which the word impasse can be used

The contexts of language in which it makes sense to use the term impasse are very diverse. For example, if a person is waiting for news that could

decide their immediate future, if someone has doubts about what decision to make in relation to an important matter or if a conflict presents a deadlock situation.

These situations allow us to remember that expressions such as "dead end" or "deadlock" have the same meaning as impasse. The meaning of impasse is related to situations in which some kind of uncertainty or indecision. On the other hand, the word impasse can suggest a certain fear or uneasiness.

A brief analysis of the word

The word impasse presents a spellingsingular, since in Spanish the double s is not used. This peculiarity gives us a clue about the exact origin of the term, since it actually comes from the French language. These types of words that are borrowed from another language are known as loanwords.

In this sense, it must be remembered that there are numerous linguistic loanwords whose origin is in the language French, such as the words buffet, chauffeur, corset, tour, debut and others. As for the pronunciation of impasse, in Spanish it is pronounced impás, since it would not make sense to use the phonetics French in a word fully adapted to the Spanish vocabulary.

If we take into account the term impasse in the context of the French language, it should be noted that it could be translated as "dead end" (rue sans issue in French).

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