die  Absperrung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔapʃpɛʁʊŋ/

🚧 What does 'die Absperrung' mean?

Die Absperrung (noun, feminine) refers to a device or measure used to secure an area, prevent access, or control passage. It can be physical (e.g., a fence, barrier, tape - ein Zaun, eine Schranke, ein Band) or symbolic.

There's only this one meaning for the word with the article 'die'. It's a typical noun ending in -ung, derived from the verb absperren (to cordon off, to block), which makes it feminine.

• Physical barrier: Something that blocks passage (e.g., construction fence - Bauzaun, police cordon - Polizeikette).
• Measure: The act of cordoning off itself or the resulting restricted zone.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar of 'die Absperrung' in Detail

The word 'Absperrung' is a feminine noun. Like most nouns ending in -ung, it uses the article 'die'. Here is the declension:

💡 Example Sentences

1. Die Polizei errichtete eine Absperrung um den Unfallort.
   (The police set up a cordon around the accident site.)
2. Wegen Bauarbeiten gibt es hier mehrere Absperrungen.
   (Due to construction work, there are several barriers here.)
3. Bitte beachten Sie die Absperrung und betreten Sie den Bereich nicht.
   (Please observe the barrier and do not enter the area.)
4. Die Feuerwehr durchbrach die Absperrung, um zum Brandherd zu gelangen.
   (The fire brigade broke through the cordon to reach the source of the fire.)

🚦 When and how to use 'Absperrung'?

'Die Absperrung' is frequently used in contexts where access to an area is restricted or prevented. Typical situations include:

• Construction sites (Baustellen):

  To secure hazardous areas (e.g., Die Baustelle war durch eine Absperrung gesichert. - The construction site was secured by a barrier.)

• Events (Veranstaltungen):

  To manage crowds or demarcate VIP areas (e.g., Eine Absperrung trennte die Fans von der Bühne. - A barrier separated the fans from the stage.)

• Accident sites/Crime scenes (Unfallorte/Tatorte):

  By police (Polizei) or fire department (Feuerwehr) to keep the area clear for investigation or rescue work (e.g., Niemand durfte die polizeiliche Absperrung passieren. - Nobody was allowed to pass the police cordon.)

• Road traffic (Straßenverkehr):

  For road closures due to construction, accidents, or events (e.g., Die Umleitung führte an der Absperrung vorbei. - The detour led past the barrier.)

The word refers both to the object (e.g., the barrier tape - Absperrband, the fence - Zaun) and to the act of cordoning off or the cordoned-off area itself. It has a clear, mostly physical meaning in the sense of a barrier.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article 'die': Almost all German nouns ending in -ung are feminine ('die'). Think of other -ung words you might know: die Rechnung (the bill), die Wohnung (the apartment), die Zeitung (the newspaper). So, it's reliably die Absperrung.

Meaning: The verb is absperren (to block off, cordon off). An 'Absperrung' is the thing (or action) that does the 'sperren' (blocking). Imagine someone stringing up tape (which sounds a bit like 'sperren') to block a path – that's the Absperrung.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words: Die Absperrung

⚠️ Caution: Words like 'Grenze' (border) or 'Abgrenzung' (demarcation, delimitation) might sound similar but often have different connotations (more territorial or conceptual rather than a physical barrier).

😄 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Geist Angst vor der Absperrung?
(Why is the ghost afraid of the barrier?)

Er kann nicht einfach durchgehen – sie ist gespenstisch sicher! 👻🚧
(He can't just pass through – it's spookily secure!)

📜 A Short Poem

Rot-weißes Band, im Winde weht,
(Red-white tape, blows in the wind,)
Die Absperrung, die hier fest steht.
(The barrier, standing firm here.)
'Halt!', ruft sie laut, 'Kein Schritt nun weiter!',
('Stop!', it calls loudly, 'Not one step further!',)
Schützt vor Gefahr, ist Wegbegleiter.
(Protects from danger, is a path companion.)
Ob Baustelle, Fest oder Not,
(Whether construction site, festival or emergency,)
Sie wahrt die Ordnung, gibt Gebot.
(It maintains order, issues command.)

❓ Riddle Time

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch sage 'Stopp!' zu dir.
(I have no mouth, yet I say 'Stop!' to you.)
Ich grenze ab, mal dort, mal hier.
(I demarcate, sometimes there, sometimes here.)
Mal bin ich Band, mal Gitter, mal ein Zaun,
(Sometimes I'm tape, sometimes grating, sometimes a fence,)
Man muss mich oft bei Bauarbeiten schauen.
(You often have to see me at construction sites.)

Was bin ich? / What am I?
Lösung / Solution: die Absperrung

🧩 More Details on Absperrung

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word 'Absperrung' is a compound noun.

• Prefix 'ab-': Often emphasizes separation or removal.
• Stem 'sperr': From the verb 'sperren' (to lock, block, bar).
• Suffix '-ung': Forms a noun from the verb and makes it feminine. It often denotes the process or result of an action.

Trivia:

In Germany, the colors and shapes of barriers (like red-and-white striped tape - rot-weiß gestreiftes Band or grids - Gitter) are often standardized (genormt) to ensure uniform signaling effects.