der Block
block
A large, solid piece of a firm material such as stone, wood, or ice.
EXAMPLE
Der Bildhauer meißelte die Figur aus einem einzigen Block Marmor.
The sculptor chiseled the figure from a single block of marble.
der Block
block / pad
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Meanings
der Block
notepad / pad
A stack of paper glued together along one edge and used for writing or drawing.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mir während des Meetings alles auf einem Block notiert.
I wrote everything down on a notepad during the meeting.
der Block
block
A large residential building or a complex of several connected buildings; also an urban area enclosed by streets.
EXAMPLE
Sie wohnt in dem großen Block am Ende der Straße.
She lives in the large block at the end of the street.
der Block
bloc
A group of states, parties, or people that pursue shared political or economic interests.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Parteien bildeten im Parlament einen gemeinsamen Block.
The two parties formed a joint bloc in parliament.
der Block
block
A connected unit, for example a period of time in a schedule or a group of seats in a theater.
EXAMPLE
Der Kurs findet als Block an einem Wochenende statt.
The course takes place as a block over one weekend.
Usage tips
Compound words
'Block' is a very productive base word. Many compound nouns make the meaning more precise, for example 'Wohnblock' (apartment block), 'Schreibblock' (notepad), 'Motorblock' (part of an engine), or 'Blockflöte' (recorder).
EXAMPLE
Für die Schule brauche ich noch einen neuen Schreibblock.
I still need a new notepad for school.
Typical preposition
When 'Block' describes a piece of material, the material is often given with the preposition 'aus' (from / made of).
EXAMPLE
Die Statue wurde aus einem einzigen Block Granit gefertigt.
The statue was made from a single block of granite.
Typical collocations
In connection with a notepad, typical verbs are 'notieren' (to note down), 'schreiben' (to write), or 'zeichnen' (to draw). It is often described with adjectives such as 'kariert' (squared) or 'liniert' (lined).
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich die Telefonnummer schnell auf seinem Block notiert.
He quickly noted down the phone number on his notepad.
Context clue
In an urban context, 'Block' can mean a building or the area surrounded by streets. 'In einem Block wohnen' refers to the building, while 'um den Block gehen' refers to the area.
EXAMPLE
Meine neue Wohnung ist in einem großen Block am Stadtrand.
My new apartment is in a large block on the outskirts of the city.
Political context
In political or economic contexts, 'Block' refers to an alliance with shared interests. A typical verb in this context is 'bilden' (to form).
EXAMPLE
Die Oppositionsparteien bildeten einen Block gegen den Gesetzesentwurf der Regierung.
The opposition parties formed a bloc against the government's draft law.
Compare with
Block vs Bereich
area / field
In a theater, Bereich and Block can refer to a group of seats. Bereich is the more general spatial term and does not necessarily imply a fixed division. Block usually refers to a clearly recognizable, contiguous seating section.
Block
Unsere Plätze befinden sich im hinteren Block des Theaters.
Our seats are in the back block of the theater.
Bereich
Die günstigen Plätze befinden sich im hinteren Bereich des Theaters.
The cheaper seats are in the back section of the theater.
In real life
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