to solidify / freeze
Loading your saved state.
to solidify
To become solid and immobile through cold or a chemical process. For example, when a liquid turns into ice or another solid substance.
Das Wasser in der Pfütze ist über Nacht zu Eis erstarrt.
The water in the puddle solidified into ice overnight.
The verb is made up of the prefix 'er-' and the adjective 'starr' (rigid/immobile). The prefix 'er-' often describes the beginning of a process or the reaching of a state. So 'erstarren' means 'to become rigid.'
Als er die schlechte Nachricht hörte, erstarrte sein Gesichtsausdruck.
When he heard the bad news, his facial expression froze.
'Erstarren' (to solidify/freeze) always describes a change of state. Therefore, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), never with 'haben' (to have).
Die Lava ist nach dem Vulkanausbruch langsam erstarrt.
The lava slowly solidified after the volcanic eruption.
When someone freezes because of an emotion, the reason is often given with the preposition 'vor' and the dative. Typical phrases are 'vor Angst erstarren' (to freeze with fear), 'vor Schreck erstarren' (to freeze in shock), or 'vor Kälte erstarren' (to freeze from the cold).
Das Kaninchen erstarrte vor Angst, als es den Fuchs sah.
The rabbit froze with fear when it saw the fox.
The meaning is clear depending on the context: If it is about liquids and cold, it is meant literally (water, lava). If it is about a sudden reaction to an event, it means freezing in shock. If it is about long-term feelings after trauma, it means emotional numbness.
Das flüssige Wachs erstarrt an der kalten Luft.
The liquid wax solidifies in the cold air.
to block
'blockieren' and 'erstarren' can both describe someone no longer being able to react normally in a difficult situation. 'blockieren' mainly means that you cannot move forward mentally or in your actions, for example because of stress, fear, or pressure. 'erstarren' describes the body or the visible state more strongly: someone suddenly becomes completely still and motionless, often from shock. So you can freeze up internally without actually standing still. 'erstarren' fits especially when the person seems frozen.
Als der Hund laut bellt, erstarrt das Kind vor Angst.
When the dog barks loudly, the child freezes with fear.
Beim wichtigen Gespräch blockiere ich und finde keine Antwort.
During the important conversation, I freeze up and cannot find an answer.