constipation / blockage
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constipation
A medical condition in which a person has difficulty emptying the bowels. Bowel movements are infrequent and often painful.
Eine ballaststoffreiche Ernährung kann helfen, einer Verstopfung vorzubeugen.
A high-fiber diet can help prevent constipation.
blockage
A blockage in a pipe, channel, or another hollow space that prevents the flow of liquids or materials.
Der Klempner musste kommen, um die Verstopfung im Abfluss der Küche zu beseitigen.
The plumber had to come to clear the blockage in the kitchen drain.
congestion
A traffic situation in which vehicles can no longer move forward, or can only move very slowly; a major traffic jam.
Die Verstopfung der Innenstadtstraßen zur Weihnachtszeit ist jedes Jahr ein Problem.
The congestion on the city center streets at Christmas time is a problem every year.
The noun 'die Verstopfung' (constipation / blockage) comes from the verb 'verstopfen' (to block/clog). This verb is made up of the prefix 'ver-' and 'stopfen' (to stuff). It describes the process in which something is stuffed in such a way that it becomes blocked.
Alte Blätter haben den Abfluss auf der Straße verstopft.
Old leaves clogged the drain in the street.
You can recognize which meaning is intended from the context. In a medical context, it is about the body ('an Verstopfung leiden' — to suffer from constipation). In a technical context, it is about pipes or channels ('die Verstopfung im Abfluss' — the blockage in the drain). In a traffic context, it is about roads ('Verstopfung der Innenstadt' — congestion in the city center).
Der Arzt gab ihm Tipps gegen seine Verstopfung.
The doctor gave him tips for his constipation.
In the medical sense, 'Verstopfung' (constipation) is often used with the verbs 'haben' (to have) or 'leiden an' (to suffer from). You can also 'etwas gegen Verstopfung tun' (do something for/against constipation) or 'ihr vorbeugen' (prevent it).
Viele Menschen leiden auf Reisen an Verstopfung.
Many people suffer from constipation when traveling.
When it is about a blockage in a pipe, typical verbs are 'beseitigen' (to remove/clear) or 'lösen' (to clear/loosen). People often speak of the 'Verstopfung im Abfluss' (blockage in the drain) or 'in der Leitung' (in the pipe).
Mit einem speziellen Mittel konnte er die Verstopfung im Waschbecken lösen.
With a special product, he was able to clear the blockage in the sink.
traffic jam / backlog
Stau and Verstopfung can both refer to traffic that is barely moving. Stau is the neutral and usual term for this. In this context, Verstopfung is figurative and much less common, but it is also understandable when there is a severe blockage.
Wegen des Unfalls ist auf der Autobahn eine starke Verstopfung des Verkehrs entstanden.
Because of the accident, severe traffic congestion has developed on the highway.
Wegen des Unfalls steht der Verkehr auf der Autobahn seit einer Stunde im Stau.
Because of the accident, traffic on the highway has been stuck in a jam for an hour.
