blocken
to block
To create an obstacle in order to block a path, movement, or access.
EXAMPLE
Ein umgestürzter Baum blockt die gesamte Fahrbahn.
A fallen tree is blocking the entire roadway.
blocken
to block
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Meanings
blocken
to block
In sports, to stop an opponent's attack by putting yourself in their way, e.g. in volleyball or basketball.
EXAMPLE
Der Verteidiger konnte den Schuss des Stürmers im letzten Moment blocken.
The defender was able to block the striker's shot at the last moment.
blocken
to block
On the internet or social media, to block a person so that they can no longer contact you or see your profile.
EXAMPLE
Nach den beleidigenden Nachrichten habe ich ihn sofort geblockt.
After the insulting messages, I blocked him immediately.
blocken
to shut down
To inwardly resist something; to reject a topic or confrontation and not engage with it.
EXAMPLE
Immer wenn wir über die Zukunft reden, blockt er total.
Whenever we talk about the future, he completely shuts down.
blocken
to block off
To reserve or firmly schedule a specific period of time in the calendar for an activity.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mir den Freitagnachmittag geblockt, um die Präsentation vorzubereiten.
I blocked off Friday afternoon to prepare the presentation.
Usage tips
Origin of the word
'Blocken' (to block) is a loanword from English ('to block'). In German, it is conjugated like a regular weak verb: ich blocke, ich blockte, ich habe geblockt.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den Anruf einfach geblockt.
He simply blocked the call.
Context clue: the object matters
The exact meaning of 'blocken' (to block) often becomes clear from the object. If you block a road, you obstruct it. If you block a person, you block them digitally. If you block an appointment, you reserve it.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei blockte die Zufahrt zur Unfallstelle.
The police blocked the access road to the accident site.
Use in sports
In a sports context, 'blocken' (to block) always means to stop an opponent's attack. Typical collocations are 'einen Schuss blocken' (to block a shot), 'einen Ball blocken' (to block a ball), or 'einen Angriff blocken' (to block an attack).
EXAMPLE
Die Volleyballspielerin sprang hoch, um den Ball zu blocken.
The volleyball player jumped high to block the ball.
Digital communication
In the digital world, 'blocken' (to block) is the standard verb for preventing contact with a person on social media or messengers. The object here is always a person or a profile.
EXAMPLE
Wenn dich jemand belästigt, solltest du den Kontakt sofort blocken.
If someone is harassing you, you should block the contact immediately.
Use without an object
In the psychological meaning, 'blocken' (to shut down) can also be used without an object. It then means that a person closes themselves off internally from a discussion or a feeling.
EXAMPLE
Jedes Mal, wenn ich das Thema anspreche, blockt sie sofort ab.
Every time I bring up the topic, she immediately shuts down.
Time management
In the context of calendars and time planning, 'blocken' (to block off) means to reserve a period of time for a specific activity. It is often used reflexively: 'sich Zeit blocken' (to block off time for oneself).
EXAMPLE
Kannst du dir morgen eine Stunde für ein Gespräch mit mir blocken?
Can you block off an hour tomorrow for a conversation with me?
Compare with
blocken vs sperren
to block / to ban
On the internet, sperren usually means withdrawing access to an account or service. Blocken, by contrast, means preventing a person from contacting you or seeing your profile. The key distinction is therefore whether access or contact is being prevented.
blocken
Mia blockt Paul, damit er ihr keine Nachrichten mehr senden kann.
Mia blocks Paul so that he can no longer send her messages.
sperren
Die Plattform sperrt Pauls Konto wegen eines Regelverstoßes.
The platform blocks Paul's account because he violated the rules.
In real life
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