die
Sperre
🚧 What exactly does 'die Sperre' mean?
The word die Sperre (feminine noun) has several related meanings, mostly revolving around the concept of blocking or preventing something:
- Blockade/Barrier: A physical device or measure that prevents access or passage. Example: eine Straßensperre (a roadblock).
- Ban/Suspension: An official order prohibiting a specific activity or access to something. Examples: eine Kontosperre (an account suspension), eine Dopingsperre (a doping ban in sports).
- Lock/Catch: A technical component that locks or secures something (less common than 'Riegel' or 'Schloss').
- Waiting period/Blocking period: A period during which something is not allowed or available. Example: Eine Sperre für Arbeitslosengeld (a blocking period for unemployment benefits).
⚠️ Note: Despite the different meanings, the article is always die.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar of 'die Sperre' in Detail
Die Sperre is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Sperre | eine Sperre |
| Genitive | der Sperre | einer Sperre |
| Dative | der Sperre | einer Sperre |
| Accusative | die Sperre | eine Sperre |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Sperren | keine Sperren (no/none) |
| Genitive | der Sperren | keiner Sperren |
| Dative | den Sperren | keinen Sperren |
| Accusative | die Sperren | keine Sperren |
📝 Example Sentences
- Wegen des Unfalls wurde eine vollständige Sperre der Autobahn eingerichtet. (Meaning: Blockade - Due to the accident, a complete blockade of the highway was established.)
- Der Spieler erhielt nach dem Foul eine Sperre von drei Spielen. (Meaning: Suspension - The player received a three-game suspension after the foul.)
- Nach wiederholtem Fehlversuch erfolgte die Sperre seines Online-Kontos. (Meaning: Ban/Access restriction - After repeated failed attempts, his online account was suspended.)
- Die Tür hat eine zusätzliche Sperre gegen Einbruch. (Meaning: Lock/catch - rarer - The door has an additional lock against break-ins.)
💡 How is 'die Sperre' used?
Die Sperre is frequently used in contexts where access, movement, or activities are restricted.
- Traffic: Straßensperre (roadblock), Tunnelsperre (tunnel closure), Luftraumsperre (airspace closure)
- Sports: Spielersperre (player suspension), Dopingsperre (doping ban), Stadionsperre (stadium ban)
- Finance/IT: Kontosperre (account suspension), Kartensperre (card blocking), Zugangssperre (access block), IP-Sperre (IP ban)
- Law/Politics: Liefersperre (delivery stop/embargo), Nachrichtensperre (news blackout), Einreisesperre (entry ban), Sanktionen (sanctions - as a type of ban)
- Social welfare: Sperre beim Arbeitslosengeld (blocking period for unemployment benefits)
The word often carries a negative connotation as it implies restriction or prohibition. It feels stronger than a simple 'Blockierung' (blockage) and is often official in nature.
Comparison:
- Blockade: Similar, but often more spontaneous or less formal (e.g., eine Sitzblockade - a sit-in protest).
- Verbot (ban/prohibition): Focuses on the rule or law that forbids something. 'Die Sperre' is often the concrete implementation of a Verbot.
- Hindernis (obstacle): More of a general object in the way, not necessarily an intentional Sperre.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Sperre'
Article Aid: Many German nouns ending in -e derived from verbs (like sperren -> die Sperre) are feminine. Think: 'She (die) put up the barrier (Sperre)'. The 'e' sound connects 'die' and 'Sperre'.
Meaning Aid: Imagine trying to pass, but someone 'spears' the ground in front of you, creating a Sperre (barrier). It sounds a bit like 'spare' - you can't 'spare' any way through the Sperre.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- For Blockade/Barrier: Absperrung (cordon), Barriere (barrier), Blockade (blockade), Hindernis (obstacle), Wegsperre (roadblock)
- For Ban/Suspension: Verbot (ban, prohibition), Suspendierung (suspension), Ausschluss (exclusion), Bann (ban), Embargo (embargo - economic), Sanktion (sanction)
- For Waiting Period: Sperrfrist (blocking period), Wartezeit (waiting period), Karenzzeit (grace period/waiting period)
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- For Blockade/Barrier: Durchgang (passage), Öffnung (opening), Freigabe (release, clearance), Zufahrt (access road), Zugang (access)
- For Ban/Suspension: Erlaubnis (permission), Freigabe (release, approval), Genehmigung (approval, permit), Zulassung (admission, authorization), Aufhebung (der Sperre) (lifting (of the ban))
- For Waiting Period: sofortige Wirkung (immediate effect), keine Wartezeit (no waiting period)
⚠️ Similar Sounding/Looking Words:
- Sperrholz: Plywood - a material, unrelated to blockades.
- Sperrmüll: Bulky waste - large trash items for collection, not a ban.
- Sperber: Sparrowhawk - a bird of prey.
😄 A Little Joke
Fragt der Polizist den Autofahrer an der Straßensperre: "Haben Sie Papiere?"
Sagt der Autofahrer: "Ja, Schere und Stein hab ich auch dabei. Wollen wir spielen?"
Translation: The police officer asks the driver at the roadblock: "Do you have papers (Papiere)?"
The driver says: "Yes, I have scissors (Schere) and rock (Stein) too. Shall we play?" (Playing on the German word for 'papers' sounding like the game 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' - Stein, Schere, Papier).
📜 Poem about 'die Sperre'
Die Straße dicht, kein Weiterkommen,
Eine Sperre hat den Weg genommen.
Rot-weiß gestreift, ein klares Zeichen,
Hier muss man warten, hier muss man weichen.
Auch im System, ein Klick zu viel,
Die Konto-Sperre ist das Ziel.
Kein Zugang mehr, die Tür ist zu,
Man hofft auf Freigabe im Nu.
Translation:
The road is blocked, no moving on,
A barrier (Sperre) has taken the path.
Striped red and white, a clear sign,
Here one must wait, here one must yield.
Also in the system, one click too many,
The account suspension (Konto-Sperre) is the aim.
No more access, the door is closed,
One hopes for release in a flash.
❓ Riddle
Ich halte auf, ich grenze ein,
Lass dich oft nicht weiter rein.
Im Sport, im Netz, auf weiter Flur,
Bin ich Verbot und Zäsur.
Mal bin ich physisch, rot und weiß,
Mal digital, auf leise Weis'.
Was bin ich?
Translation:
I stop you, I confine,
Often don't let you further inside.
In sports, online, across the land,
I am prohibition and a caesura's hand.
Sometimes I'm physical, red and white,
Sometimes digital, in quiet light.
What am I?
Lösung/Solution: die Sperre
🧩 Other Information
Word Formation:
The noun die Sperre is derived from the verb sperren.
- sperren: to lock, block, make inaccessible
- die Sperre: the result or act of blocking/locking
Trivia: The German term 'Sperrstunde' refers to the legally mandated closing time for pubs and restaurants – also a form of time-based Sperre (restriction).
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Sperre?
The noun Sperre is always feminine. The correct article is die. Its main meanings relate to a blockade, barrier, or a ban/suspension.