to shut down / paralyze
Loading your saved state.
to shut down
To bring something to a standstill; to block the functioning of a system, organization, or process.
Ein unerwarteter Cyberangriff hat das gesamte Computernetzwerk der Firma lahmgelegt.
An unexpected cyberattack shut down the company's entire computer network.
to paralyze
To make a living being unable to move; to paralyze. This meaning is less common and often medical or biological.
Das Gift der Schlange kann seine Beute innerhalb von Minuten lahmlegen.
The snake's venom can paralyze its prey within minutes.
'Lahmlegen' is a separable verb. The prefix 'lahm' stands at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Der Schneesturm legte den gesamten Verkehr lahm.
The snowstorm shut down all traffic.
The verb consists of the adjective 'lahm' (in the sense of paralyzed, immobile) and the verb 'legen' (to lay/put). Literally, it therefore means to put something into a paralyzed state.
Ein technischer Defekt hat die Aufzüge lahmgelegt.
A technical defect shut down the elevators.
This figurative meaning is the most common. Typically, abstract systems or processes are shut down, for example: traffic, the economy, a network, production, or a business operation.
Ein Streik der Fluglotsen kann den gesamten Flugverkehr lahmlegen.
A strike by air traffic controllers can shut down all air traffic.
The literal meaning, to make a living being unable to move, is rare and is mostly used in biological or medical contexts. In everyday language, 'lahmlegen' almost always refers to systems or processes.
Das Gift der Spinne kann ein Insekt in Sekunden lahmlegen.
The spider's venom can paralyze an insect in seconds.
to block
Blockieren focuses on a specific obstruction, for example on a road. Lahmlegen, by contrast, emphasizes the effect on an entire system or process: it no longer functions. A road closure can therefore block one particular route while also bringing public transportation in the area to a standstill.
Die Sperre legt den Busverkehr im ganzen Stadtzentrum lahm.
The road closure brings bus service throughout the city center to a standstill.
Die Sperre blockiert die Hauptstraße im Stadtzentrum.
The road closure blocks the main road in the city center.
