die  Blockade

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/blɔkaːˈdeː/

🚧 What Exactly is a 'Blockade'?

The German word die Blockade (feminine) has several meanings, often related to some kind of obstruction or barrier:

• Political/Military: A measure to cut off an area (e.g., a city, country, port) from the outside world, usually by military means. The goal is often to stop supplies or exert pressure. Example: die Berliner Luftbrücke (the Berlin Airlift) overcame the Soviet Blockade.
• Traffic/Logistics: A physical barrier or obstacle preventing the free flow of traffic or goods. Example: Eine Straßenblockade (a roadblock) by demonstrators. / Eine Blockade in der Lieferkette (a blockage in the supply chain).
• Medical/Psychological: An inhibition or disruption of a normal function, e.g., a Schreibblockade (writer's block), an emotionale Blockade (emotional block), or a nerve block. Example: Er leidet unter einer kreativen Blockade (He suffers from a creative block). / Eine Blockade der Herzkranzgefäße (A blockage of the coronary arteries).

🚨 Note: Although the meanings differ, the article always remains die, as it is a feminine noun.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar in Detail: Die Blockade

The noun die Blockade is feminine. Here is its declension:

Declension (Singular)

Declension (Plural)

Example Sentences 📜

• Die Blockade des Hafens dauerte mehrere Monate. (The blockade of the port lasted several months. - Nominative Singular)
• Die Auswirkungen der Blockade waren verheerend. (The effects of the blockade were devastating. - Genitive Singular)
• Man versuchte, der Blockade mit Verhandlungen ein Ende zu setzen. (They tried to end the blockade through negotiations. - Dative Singular)
• Die Armee durchbrach die Blockade. (The army broke through the blockade. - Accusative Singular)
• Während des Streiks kam es zu mehreren Blockaden. (During the strike, there were several blockades. - Nominative Plural)
• Trotz der Blockaden fanden einige Waren ihren Weg in die Stadt. (Despite the blockades, some goods found their way into the city. - Genitive Plural)
• Die Polizei stand den Blockaden hilflos gegenüber. (The police were helpless against the blockades. - Dative Plural)
• Die Regierung verurteilte die Blockaden scharf. (The government sharply condemned the blockades. - Accusative Plural)

🗣️ How to Use "die Blockade"?

The use of die Blockade strongly depends on the context:

• Politics/Military: Here, it describes a strategic measure (e.g., Wirtschaftsblockade - economic blockade, Seeblockade - naval blockade). It often carries a serious, conflict-related connotation.
• Traffic: In everyday life, it's sometimes used for traffic jams (although der Stau is more common) or deliberate obstructions (Straßenblockade - roadblock due to protests).
• Psychology/Medicine: Used to describe internal inhibitions (Denkblockade - mental block, emotionale Blockade - emotional block) or physiological obstructions (Nervenblockade - nerve block).

Comparison with similar words:

• Die Sperre / Die Sperrung: Similar to Blockade in the sense of a physical barrier, but often less comprehensive or strategic than a military blockade. Can also be more temporary (e.g., Straßensperrung - road closure due to construction).
• Der Stau: Refers specifically to a traffic jam, usually caused by high traffic volume, not an intentional blockage.
• Die Hemmung: More commonly used for psychological or internal blocks, less for physical barriers.
• Die Unterbrechung: A more general term for an interruption or pause, not necessarily a complete blockage.

🧠 Mnemonics for "die Blockade"

Mnemonic for the Article (die):

Think of things that block or enclose which are often feminine in German: die Mauer (the wall), die Grenze (the border), die Absperrung (the barrier). Like these, it's die Blockade. Also, many feminine nouns end in -e, like Blockade.

Mnemonic for the Meaning:

Imagine a huge concrete block aiding in stopping traffic – that's a Blockade. It blocks everything: ships, cars, thoughts.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words

⚠️ Be careful with similar words:

• Block: Is masculine (der Block) and means a solid block (of wood, stone), an apartment block, or a notepad.
• Blockieren: The verb, to block.

😄 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Skelette nie an Demonstrationen mit Straßenblockaden teil?

Weil sie nicht den Mut (oder die Nerven) dazu haben, im Weg zu stehen! 😄🦴

(Why do skeletons never take part in demonstrations with roadblocks? Because they don't have the guts (or the nerves) to stand in the way!)

📜 A Poem about Blockade

Ein Schiff will in den Hafen ein,
doch Schiffe sperren ihm den Schein.
Die Stadt, sie wartet auf die Fracht,
doch eine Macht hält streng die Wacht.

Ein Denker sitzt, der Stift bereit,
doch leer bleibt das Papier, so weit.
Ein Wort nur fehlt, ein kleiner Funken,
im Kopf ist alles wie versunken.

Ob Meer, ob Geist, ob Straßenzug,
die Blockade bringt nicht genug.
Sie hält uns auf, sie hemmt den Lauf,
drum hoffen wir, sie löst sich auf.

(A ship wants to enter the port,
But ships block its guiding light short.
The city awaits the awaited freight,
But a power keeps strict watch at the gate.

A thinker sits, the pen prepared,
But the paper remains empty, widely stared.
Just one word missing, a tiny spark,
In the mind, all seems sunken and dark.

Whether sea, or mind, or city street,
The blockade brings not enough to meet.
It stops us, it hinders our pace,
So we hope it dissolves without a trace.)

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich kann Schiffe auf dem Meer aufhalten,
Autos auf der Straße verwalten.
Ich kann Gedanken im Kopf verwirren,
und dich beim Schreiben sehr irritieren.

Ich bin feminin, mein Artikel ist 'die',
was bin ich, sag's geschwind, juche?

(I can stop ships upon the sea,
Manage cars on roads, you see.
I can tangle thoughts inside your head,
And make you struggle writing instead.

I am feminine, my article is 'die',
What am I? Tell me quickly, oh my!)

Solution: Die Blockade

💡 Other Interesting Info

Word Composition & Origin:

The word "Blockade" comes from the French verb bloquer, meaning “to block up,” “to obstruct,” or “to surround.” The French word, in turn, traces back to the Dutch word blok, referring to a block of wood. The military meaning developed in the 17th century.

Interestingly, the word is also used in compound nouns, such as:

• Seeblockade: Naval blockade.
• Wirtschaftsblockade: Economic blockade.
• Denkblockade: Mental block.