bloqueo
“bloqueo” means “blockage” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
blockage, road closure
Also: obstruction, jam
📝 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.
blockade, embargo
Also: lockout, freezing
📝 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.
mental block, writer's block
Also: emotional shutdown
📝 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.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "bloqueo" in Spanish:
blockade→blockage→embargo→emotional shutdown→freezing→jam→lockout→mental block→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: bloqueo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'bloqueo' in the context of a psychological difficulty?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Bloqueo' comes directly from the Spanish verb 'bloquear' (to block), which itself was borrowed from the French word 'bloquer' in the 18th century. The core idea has always been about stopping movement or access, whether physical, economic, or mental.
First recorded: Mid-19th century (in the modern political/economic sense).
Cognates (Related words)
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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.