bloqueo
/blo-KEH-oh/
blockage
A physical obstruction or blockage is one meaning of bloqueo.
bloqueo(noun)
blockage
?physical obstruction
,road closure
?traffic or protest
obstruction
?general object preventing passage
,jam
?traffic jam (less common than 'atasco')
📝 In Action
Hay un bloqueo en la carretera principal debido a un accidente.
A2There is a blockage on the main road due to an accident.
La policía levantó el bloqueo que impedía el paso de los camiones.
B1The police lifted the road closure that was preventing the trucks from passing.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun Rule
Remember that 'bloqueo' is a masculine noun, so you always use 'el' or 'un' before it (e.g., 'el bloqueo').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong gender
Mistake: "La bloqueo."
Correction: El bloqueo. The word ends in '-o', which is a common sign of a masculine noun.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'traffic'
While you can say 'bloqueo de tráfico', the word 'atasco' is often more common for a severe traffic jam.
Bloqueo can refer to a political or military blockade.
bloqueo(noun)
blockade
?political/military action
,embargo
?economic sanction
lockout
?labor dispute, sports
,freezing
?of assets or funds
📝 In Action
El país impuso un bloqueo económico total a su nación vecina.
C1The country imposed a total economic blockade on its neighboring nation.
El bloqueo de fondos afectó gravemente la operación de la empresa.
C1The freezing of funds severely affected the company's operation.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Context
This meaning of 'bloqueo' is often found in news reports, academic papers, and official government statements.
⭐ Usage Tips
Distinguishing 'Bloqueo' and 'Embargo'
While similar, 'bloqueo' (blockade) suggests physically or legally stopping access, while 'embargo' specifically refers to banning trade.
Experiencing an inability to think or recall is known as a bloqueo or mental block.
bloqueo(noun)
mental block
?inability to think or recall
,writer's block
?creative difficulty
emotional shutdown
?psychological state
📝 In Action
Tengo un bloqueo mental y no recuerdo la respuesta para el examen.
B1I have a mental block and can't remember the answer for the exam.
La novelista sufrió un bloqueo creativo durante meses.
B2The novelist suffered from writer's block for months.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Tener'
To express having a mental block, you use the verb 'tener' (to have): 'Tengo un bloqueo'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Detail
Always specify the type of block using an adjective or a phrase: 'bloqueo mental,' 'bloqueo emocional,' or 'bloqueo del escritor' (writer's block).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: bloqueo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'bloqueo' in the context of a psychological difficulty?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'bloqueo' used for blocking someone on social media?
Yes, absolutely! While you can use the verb 'bloquear' (to block someone), the noun 'bloqueo' is often used to refer to the action or status: 'Le dio un bloqueo' (He gave her a block) or 'el bloqueo en Twitter' (the block on Twitter).
What is the difference between 'bloqueo' and 'atasco'?
'Bloqueo' (blockage) implies an intentional act or a complete stop, like a road closure or political sanction. 'Atasco' (traffic jam) usually refers specifically to heavy traffic or congestion that slows movement down.