die  Sperrung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʃpɛʁʊŋ/

🚧 What does "die Sperrung" mean?

The noun die Sperrung (feminine) describes the state or act of blocking, closing, or preventing access or use. It can refer to various contexts:

• Traffic: The physical blockage of a road, bridge, or tunnel (e.g., Straßensperrung - road closure - due to construction or an accident).
• Access Authorization: The revocation of permission to use or access something (e.g., Kontosperrung - account suspension - at a bank or online service, Kartensperrung - card blocking).
• Ban / Prohibition: An official order prohibiting a specific activity or use (e.g., Sperrung einer Website - blocking of a website, Startsperrung - launch hold for rockets).

🚨 Be careful not to confuse die Sperrung (the state/act of blocking) with die Sperre (often the physical object that blocks, like a barrier, or sometimes synonymous with Sperrung), although they are often used similarly.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Declension of Sperrung

Die Sperrung is a feminine noun. Feminine nouns ending in -ung are typically weak nouns and usually form their plural with -en.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Wegen eines Unfalls kam es zu einer vollständigen Sperrung der Autobahn.
   (Due to an accident, there was a complete closure of the highway.)
2. Nach mehrmaliger Falscheingabe der PIN erfolgte die automatische Sperrung des Online-Kontos.
   (After entering the wrong PIN multiple times, the online account was automatically suspended.)
3. Die Behörden ordneten die sofortige Sperrung der unsicheren Brücke an.
   (The authorities ordered the immediate closure of the unsafe bridge.)
4. Viele Pendler waren von den plötzlichen Sperrungen im Bahnverkehr betroffen.
   (Many commuters were affected by the sudden closures/disruptions in train services.)

🚦 When and how to use "Sperrung"?

Die Sperrung is a commonly used word, especially in official contexts or news reports.

• In Traffic: Very common for Straßensperrungen (road closures), Autobahnsperrungen (highway closures), Brückensperrungen (bridge closures), etc. Often used with duration qualifiers (Vollsperrung - full closure, Teilsperrung - partial closure, kurzzeitige Sperrung - short-term closure).
• For Accounts & Services: Used when access to bank accounts, credit cards, online profiles, or phone lines is blocked (Kontosperrung - account suspension, Kartensperrung - card blocking, Handysperrung - phone blocking).
• In Legal/Administrative Areas: Often refers to bans or restrictions, e.g., the Sperrung (freezing) of funds, the Sperrung (blocking) of a website, or the Sperrfrist/Sperrzeit (blocking period) for unemployment benefits.

Distinction: While die Sperre can sometimes be synonymous, it often refers to the physical object (the barrier). Die Blockade (blockade) can be similar but often emphasizes the obstacle or resistance more strongly. Die Schließung (closure) relates more to the permanent or temporary closing of businesses, institutions, etc.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Nouns ending in -ung are almost always feminine (die). Think of a long line (feminine!) waiting due to the Sperrung (-ung). So, it's die Sperrung.

Meaning Mnemonic: The word sperren (to block/lock) sounds a bit like the English word "spare" as in "you can't spare any way through" or maybe "barrier". A Sperrung is a blockage or closure that leaves no spare room to pass.

↔️ Opposites and Alternatives: Around Sperrung

⚠️ Similar Words (Caution!)

• Die Sperre: Can be synonymous, but often refers to the physical object (e.g., barrier).
• Sperrmüll: (Bulky waste) Large waste items collected for disposal (unrelated to blocking).

😄 A Little Chuckle

Fragt der Polizist den Autofahrer bei der Straßensperrung: "Haben Sie die Umleitung nicht gesehen?"
Antwortet der Fahrer: "Doch, doch! Aber die Sperrung fand ich viel interessanter!" 😉

Translation:
The police officer asks the driver at the road closure: "Didn't you see the diversion sign?"
The driver replies: "Oh yes! But I found the closure itself much more interesting!" 😉

📜 Poem about a Sperrung

Die Straße dicht, kein Durchkommen mehr,
die Sperrung steht, der Weg ist leer.
Geduld ist nun gefragt,
bis die Freigabe tagt.
Ob Baustelle, Unfall, Eis,
man wartet halt – auf jede Weis'.

Translation:
The road is blocked, no getting through anymore,
the closure stands, the way is clear (empty).
Patience is now required,
until the release dawns.
Whether construction site, accident, ice,
one just waits – in every way.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich halte auf, ich mache dicht,
ob Straße oder Kontosicht.
Manchmal bin ich nur ganz kurz,
manchmal ein langer Dauersturz.
Man hofft stets auf mein baldig End',
damit der Verkehr wieder rennt.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I stop things, I close things off,
whether road or account view.
Sometimes I'm only very short,
sometimes a long, permanent fall.
One always hopes for my swift end,
so that traffic runs again.

What am I?
Answer: Die Sperrung

⚙️ Word Breakdown & Trivia

Word Formation: The word Sperrung is a noun formed from the verb sperren (to block, lock, close) by adding the suffix -ung. This suffix is commonly used in German to create feminine nouns from verbs, describing the process or result of the action.

Trivia: In the digital age, terms like Kontosperrung (account suspension) or IP-Sperrung (IP blocking) have gained significant importance and become part of everyday language.