das  Embargo

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛmˈbaʁɡo/

📜 What does "das Embargo" mean?

Das Embargo (noun, neuter) refers to an official government order that prohibits or severely restricts trade or specific economic relations with another country. It's essentially a ban.

Common forms include:

• Handelsembargo: Trade embargo (ban on exporting and/or importing goods).
• Waffenembargo: Arms embargo (ban on supplying weapons and military equipment).
• Ölembargo: Oil embargo (ban on exporting or importing crude oil).

It is mostly used as a political tool to exert pressure, aiming to force or sanction certain behavior by another state. ⚠️ Be careful: Don't confuse it with a Boykott (boycott), which is often initiated by non-governmental actors.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Embargo

The word "Embargo" is a noun of neuter gender. The article is das.

Declension of "das Embargo"

Example Sentences

1. Die Regierung verhängte ein Embargo gegen das Nachbarland. (The government imposed an embargo against the neighboring country. - Accusative Singular)
2. Die Auswirkungen des Embargos waren verheerend für die Wirtschaft. (The effects of the embargo were devastating for the economy. - Genitive Singular)
3. Trotz des Embargos fanden einige Waren ihren Weg über die Grenze. (Despite the embargo, some goods found their way across the border. - Genitive Singular, though Dative 'Trotz dem Embargo' is also common in spoken German)
4. Viele Länder beteiligten sich an den Embargos. (Many countries participated in the embargoes. - Dative Plural)

🌐 How is "das Embargo" used?

"Das Embargo" is primarily used in the context of international relations, politics, and economics. It describes a formal measure ordered by a state.

• Formal Language: It's a term often found in news reports, political discussions, and official documents.
• Distinction: An Embargo is a state measure. A Boykott (boycott) can also originate from companies or consumer groups and is often less formalized. A Sanktion (sanction) is a broader term that can include other punitive measures (e.g., travel bans, freezing assets); an Embargo is a specific type of Sanktion.
• Typical verbs: ein Embargo verhängen (to impose), aufheben (to lift), umgehen (to circumvent), brechen (to break), unterliegen (to be subject to).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Embargo"

1. For the article "das": Think of the neutral concept of 'the ban' itself, rather than who imposes it or who is affected. Many international loanwords in German are neuter ('das'). Imagine 'the official seal' being stamped on 'the document' announcing 'das Embargo'.
2. For the meaning: 'Embargo' sounds like 'I'm barring the goods'. So: goods are blocked/barred -> trade ban. Or: 'Em-BAR-go' -> The goods are at a barrier and cannot go further.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Although similar, these terms are not always interchangeable. An Embargo is specifically a state-ordered ban, usually in an international context.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Wirtschaftsminister den Außenminister: "Haben wir eigentlich noch ein Embargo gegen Atlantis?"
Antwortet der Außenminister: "Keine Ahnung, die melden sich schon ewig nicht mehr!"

Translation: The Economics Minister asks the Foreign Minister: "Do we actually still have an embargo against Atlantis?"
The Foreign Minister replies: "No idea, they haven't been in touch for ages!"

📜 A Little Poem

Ein Stoppschild für den Weltenfluss,
Das Embargo, ein staatlicher Beschluss.
Kein Handel mehr, kein Schiff legt an,
Als Druckmittel im politischen Plan.
Die Grenzen dicht, die Tore zu,
Bringt's Frieden oder bitt're Ruh'?

Translation:
A stop sign for the world's flow,
The embargo, a state decree, you know.
No more trade, no ship docks near,
As leverage in politics, held dear.
The borders tight, the gates shut fast,
Does it bring peace or bitter rest at last?

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Wort aus fremder Hand,
Ein staatlich auferlegtes Band.
Ich stoppe Schiffe, Flugzeug, Bahn,
Beende manchen Handelswahn.
Mal treff ich Öl, mal Waffen nur,
Was bin ich für 'ne Prozedur?

Lösung: Das Embargo
(Solution: The Embargo)

Translation:
I am a word from a foreign hand,
A state-imposed binding band.
I stop ships, planes, and trains,
Ending many trading campaigns.
Sometimes oil, sometimes just arms I meet,
What kind of procedure, can't be beat?

💡 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Embargo" comes from the Spanish word embargar, meaning 'to seize', 'to impede', 'to confiscate'. It was originally used in the context of seizing ships in a port.

Compounds (Wortzusammensetzungen): You often find the word in compounds that specify the type of embargo, e.g.:

• Waffenembargo (Arms embargo)
• Ölembargo (Oil embargo)
• Technologieembargo (Technology embargo)
• Handelsembargo (Trade embargo)