블록
beullok[pɯɭɭo̞k̚]
In Korean, the term 블록 (beullok) can be used to refer to a block.
When you want to express the action of blocking or obstructing something intentionally, the verb 막다 is used.
Meaning: to fill, making it impossible to pass (verb)
Which one should you use?
The verb 막다 is used to describe the action of filling or obstructing a path. The noun 막기 is the noun form of the verb, created by adding the suffix 기 to the stem.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the verb 막다 into a noun meaning 'blocking', you add the suffix 기 to its stem to form 막기.
How do you pronounce it?
beullok
Did you know?
- While 블록 is a loanword for a physical object, the native verb 막다 is often used in the phrase 입을 막다 to mean 'to silence someone' by literally 'blocking their mouth'.
- In Korean social media, the English word 블록 is used as a verb to 'block' a user, which is a distinct digital usage compared to the physical 'block'.
- When referring to a city block or a specific neighborhood area, Koreans use the word 구역 or 단지 instead of the loanword 블록.
Examples in context
- 보도 블록Sidewalk blockThis example shows how to use 블록 to say 'sidewalk block'.
- 레고 블록Lego blockThis example shows how to use 블록 to say 'Lego block'.
- 교통을 막다.Block the traffic.
- 계획을 막다.Block the plan.
- 저길 막아!Block that path!
- 문을 막아.Block the door.
Example conversation
They are building a wall with toy blocks.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 여기를 블록으로 막아 봐요.Dohyeon ssi, yeogireul beullok-euro maga bwayo.Dohyeon, try to block this part with blocks.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 이렇게 블록을 쌓으면 될까요?ne, ireoke beullok-eul ssayeumyeon doelkkayo?Yes, should I stack the blocks like this?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 이제 아무도 못 지나가겠네요.ne, ije amudo mot jinagagenneyo.Yes, now nobody can pass through.
- 도현 Do-hyeon완벽하게 블록으로 막았어요!wanbyeok-hage beullok-euro magasseoyo!I blocked it perfectly with the blocks!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 블록, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
