to seal
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to seal
To officially close something with a seal or lead seal in order to guarantee that it has not been tampered with or to secure the contents.
Der Notar hat das Testament in einem Umschlag versiegelt.
The notary sealed the will in an envelope.
The verb 'versiegeln' (to seal) has the prefix 'ver-' and is inseparable. This means the prefix stays firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Der Handwerker versiegelt heute den neuen Parkettboden.
The tradesman is sealing the new parquet floor today.
The verb 'versiegeln' (to seal) is derived from the noun 'das Siegel' (seal). The prefix 'ver-' here describes the action of putting a seal on something or applying a protective layer.
Mit Wachs und einem Stempel kann man ein Dokument traditionell versiegeln.
With wax and a stamp, you can traditionally seal a document.
You can recognize the exact meaning of 'versiegeln' (to seal) from the object: a document is officially closed, a surface is protected, and a place such as a crime scene is sealed off by the police.
Der Ermittler versiegelte die Tür zum Labor.
The investigator sealed the door to the laboratory.
In a crafts or construction context, 'versiegeln' (to seal) is often combined with surfaces that need protection. Typical phrases are: 'Parkett versiegeln' (to seal parquet flooring), 'einen Holztisch versiegeln' (to seal a wooden table), or 'eine Arbeitsplatte versiegeln' (to seal a countertop).
Lassen Sie uns die Holzterrasse versiegeln, damit sie wetterfest ist.
Let's seal the wooden terrace so that it is weatherproof.
In this meaning, the word is used almost exclusively in connection with the police, customs, or other authorities. It always refers to an official closure.
Nach dem Brand hat die Feuerwehr das Gebäude versiegelt.
After the fire, the fire department sealed off the building.
to block / to ban
'sperren' and 'versiegeln' can both mean that no one is allowed to enter a place. 'sperren' is more general: a road, an entrance, or an area is closed, or access is forbidden. 'versiegeln' is more specific and sounds more official. It means that, for example, the police close an apartment or a crime scene in such a way that no one may enter and nothing should be changed. Learners may confuse the words because both prevent entry. 'sperren' fits many ordinary situations; 'versiegeln' fits especially in contexts involving authorities, security, or evidence.
Nach dem Einbruch versiegelt die Polizei die Wohnung zur Sicherheit.
After the break-in, the police seal off the apartment for security reasons.
Bitte sperrt den Eingang, damit während der Reparatur niemand hineingeht.
Please block the entrance so that no one goes in during the repair work.