bloquear
/blokeˈaɾ/
In Spanish, "to block" is translated as bloquear.
Much like in English, it is used in digital contexts to describe the act of blocking a person or an account on social media or a phone number.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of this verb is bloqueo, which means "block" or "blockage". To describe something that has been blocked, or to use the word as an adjective, you can use the past participle bloqueado.
How do you pronounce it?
/blokeˈaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if a road is blocked by a protest or an accident, people often say the street está cortada instead of using bloqueada.
- The verb bloquear is a relatively recent addition to the Spanish language, having been imported from French and English to describe modern mechanical and digital obstructions.
- The term bloqueo is used in Spanish to describe a 'boycott' in political or economic contexts, such as a bloqueo económico.
Examples in context
- "¿Qué?", dijo el gigante, "tú, hombrecito que podría aplastar entre mis dedos, ¿tú me quieres bloquear el camino? ¿Quién eres acaso para hablar tan arrogante?""What?" said the giant. "You little human, who I could crush between my fingers, you want to block my way? Who are you to speak so arrogantly?"This sentence uses bloquear to describe blocking a path.Tatoeba #1918161 by marcelostockle, translation #12424427 by Miktsoanit
- Los agricultores quieren bloquear el precio de su trigo.The farmers are wishing to block the price of their wheat.This sentence uses bloquear in the context of blocking a price.
- No puedo bloquear este sitio web en mi computadora.I can't block this website on my computer.
- Voy a parar la pelota con mi pierna.I'm going to block the ball with my leg.
- Es importante impedir que esto suceda.It's important to block/prevent this from happening.
- La construcción obstruye el camino hacia la escuela.The construction blocks the path to the school.
- No puedes bloquear la entrada de la casa.You cannot block the house entrance.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are trying to move a large piece of furniture through a hallway.
- DanielMaría, no muevas eso ahí, vas a bloquear el pasillo.María, don't move that there, you are going to block the hallway.
- MaríaLo siento, Daniel, no me di cuenta.I'm sorry, Daniel, I didn't realize.
- DanielEstá bien, solo tenemos que moverlo un poco más.It's okay, we just have to move it a little more.
- MaríaTienes razón, lo moveré ahora mismo.You're right, I'll move it right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bloquear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bloquear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
