Block in different languages

Block in Different Languages

Discover 'Block' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'block' carries significant weight in our daily lives, shaping everything from our streets and buildings to our digital experiences. Its cultural importance is undeniable, as we use blocks to create, construct, and organize our physical and virtual worlds. From Lego blocks that spark children's creativity to concrete blocks that form the foundation of our cities, this word is both versatile and essential.

Moreover, the word 'block' has fascinating historical contexts. For instance, in the 16th century, the Dutch used the term 'blok' to describe a wooden or stone piece used in building. This term eventually made its way to English-speaking cultures, where it has since evolved into a term with a wide range of applications.

Given the global prevalence of 'block' in various contexts, knowing its translation in different languages can be incredibly useful. It can help you navigate foreign cities, understand cultural nuances, and even learn new languages.

Here are a few sample translations of 'block' to pique your interest:

  • French: 'bloc'
  • Spanish: 'bloque'
  • German: 'Block'
  • Italian: 'blocco'
  • Chinese: '方块' ('fāngkuài')
  • Japanese: 'ブロック' ('burokku')

Block


Block in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansblokkeer
Blokkeer ('block') refers to both stopping or hindering something and the physical shape of a block
Amharicብሎክ
In Amharic, the word ብሎክ can also refer to a division of text, such as a book or chapter.
Hausatoshewa
Toshewa can also refer to the physical act of blocking or obstructing something.
Igbomgbochi
The term 'mgbochi' can refer to a large block or mass of a solid substance.
Malagasyandian-tsoratra
The word "andian-tsoratra" can also mean "stamp" or "print".
Nyanja (Chichewa)chipika
The word "chipika" in Nyanja (Chichewa) is also used to refer to a small piece of wood or other material used to wedge something in place.
Shonabhuroka
The word "bhuroka" shares its etymology with "bhuru" meaning "to conceal" and "kuvhura" meaning "to open"
Somaliblock
In Somali, 'block' can also mean 'section' or 'part'.
Sesothothibela
The word "thibela" in Sesotho also means "to prevent" or "to obstruct".
Swahilikuzuia
"Kuzuia" also means to prevent, prohibit, obstruct, impede or hinder something.
Xhosaibhloko
"ibhloko" also means "prison" in Xhosa.
Yorubaohun amorindun
The word "ohun amorindun" in Yoruba can also mean "obstacle" or "hindrance".
Zuluvimba
Vimba may either refer to a block or lump (as in a block of stone or a lump of soil) or to the top or apex of something, such as the tip of a horn or the peak of a mountain.
Bambarakare
Ewexe mɔ
Kinyarwandaguhagarika
Lingalakokanga
Lugandabulooka
Sepedithibela
Twi (Akan)si kwan

Block in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicمنع
The verb مَنَعَ is also used in the sense of preventing, hindering, or stopping something from happening.
Hebrewלַחסוֹם
'לחסום' is cognate with the Akkadian word 'lahasu', meaning 'to seize' or 'to capture'.
Pashtoبلاک
In Pashto, "بلاک" also refers to a wooden peg used for securing doors or windows.
Arabicمنع
The verb مَنَعَ is also used in the sense of preventing, hindering, or stopping something from happening.

Block in Western European Languages

Albanianbllokoj
The Albanian word "bllokoj" is thought to be derived from the Proto-Albanian word "*blokë", which meant "lock" or "bar". It is also related to the Proto-Slavic word "*blokŭ", which has the same meaning.
Basqueblokeatu
In Basque, "blokeatu" also means "to freeze" or "to lock", and derives from the Latin word "bloccāre"
Catalanbloc
In Catalan, "bloc" also means a notebook or writing pad, and can refer to a group of people united by a common goal.
Croatianblok
The word 'blok' may also refer to a group of flats or houses in Croatian.
Danishblok
In Danish, "blok" can also refer to a notebook or notepad.
Dutchblok
The Dutch word "blok" can also mean a group of students studying together or a period of intensive study.
Englishblock
The word "block" can also mean a large, solid mass of something, such as a block of wood or a block of ice.
Frenchbloquer
The word "bloquer" in French can also mean "to checkmate" in chess.
Frisianblok
In West Frisian, the word "blok" can also mean "log" or "tree stump."
Galicianbloque
The Galician word "bloque" also means "a group of people united by a common goal or purpose".
Germanblock
The word "Block" can also refer to pulleys or blocks of text in German.
Icelandicloka
The word "loka" is derived from the Old Norse word "lækja," meaning "to shut" or "to close," suggesting its use as a barrier or obstruction.
Irishbloc
The Irish word "bloc" can also mean "a block of land" or "a lump of something".
Italianbloccare
"Bloccare" in Italian, like "block" in English, comes from the same Proto-Germanic root as "balk". In some contexts it also means "stall" or "jam."
Luxembourgishblockéieren
Blockéieren can also mean to stop something, or to obstruct or impede.
Malteseblokka
In Maltese, "blokka" can also refer to a type of pastry.
Norwegianblokkere
The Norwegian word "blokkere" comes from the French word "bloquer," which means "to obstruct" or "to stop."
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)quadra
In Latin, "quadra" means "square", and was used by Romans for land surveying, where they would divide large pieces of land into quadrants, which in Portuguese evolved to also mean the area between four consecutive streets (or two in some cities)
Scots Gaelicbloc
In Scots Gaelic, 'bloc' can also refer to a piece of land or a parish.
Spanishbloquear
«Bloquear» en español también se refiere a «impedir» o «parar», ambos con una raíz etimológica en «palo» o «barrera».
Swedishblockera
In Swedish, "blockera" can also refer to a person or object that prevents something else from moving, and can be used figuratively to describe someone who is obstructive or hindering.
Welshbloc
The Welsh word "bloc" is derived from the Middle English word "blokke," meaning "a heavy piece of wood or stone," and is also related to the French word "bloc," meaning "a piece of stone or metal."

Block in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianблок
Belarusian "блок" originally meant "pulley" but gained multiple meanings under Russian influence.
Bosnianblok
The word "blok" also means "neighborhood" in Bosnian.
Bulgarianблок
"Блок" in Bulgarian can refer to a block of flats
Czechblok
In Czech, "blok" means "block" but also a "notebook" or a "flat" (an apartment).
Estonianblokeerida
The word "blokeerida" is derived from the Dutch word "blokkeren", meaning "to obstruct".
Finnishlohko
A "lohko" can also refer to a small room or cage for livestock or an enclosure for a prisoner.
Hungarianblokk
The Hungarian word "blokk" also refers to a receipt given for purchased goods or services.
Latvianbloķēt
The word "bloķēt" in Latvian can also refer to a blockade, a traffic jam, or a mental block.
Lithuanianblokuoti
In some contexts, "blokuoti" can refer to "locking" or "obstructing".
Macedonianблок
In Russian, "блок" has the additional meaning of "alliance" or "faction", hence the name of the Bolsheviks, who were a political faction within the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party.
Polishblok
In Polish "blok" means not only a block, but also a large apartment building constructed in the communist era.
Romanianbloc
In Romanian, the word "bloc" is also used to refer to residential buildings built during the communist era.
Russianблокировать
Блокировать in Russian can mean “to block” the way one might block a door, but it can also mean “to hang up” on a phone call.
Serbianблокирати
The verb "блокирати" derives from the German "blockieren", meaning "to prevent or obstruct".
Slovakblokovať
In Russian, the word "block" also means alliance or union.
Slovenianblok
In Slovene, the word "blok" can also refer to a notepad or notebook.
Ukrainianблок
The word "блок" in Ukrainian can also refer to a coalition of political parties

Block in South Asian Languages

Bengaliব্লক
In Bengali, the word "ব্লক" (block) has additional meanings, including "a piece of land" or a "unit of flats or apartments."
Gujaratiઅવરોધિત કરો
The word "block" has several different meanings, including "to prevent from moving or acting", "to obstruct", "to hinder", and "to impede."
Hindiखंड मैथा
The Hindi word "खंड मैथा" is likely derived from the Sanskrit word "खंड", meaning "part" or "piece", and "मैथा", meaning "skull" or "head". Thus, it literally means "broken head" or "skull fragment".
Kannadaಬ್ಲಾಕ್
"ಬ್ಲಾಕ್" (block) in Kannada can also mean a puzzle or an obstacle.
Malayalamതടയുക
The word "തടയുക" can also mean "prevent" or "hinder" in Malayalam.
Marathiब्लॉक
The Marathi word "ब्लॉक" (block) can also refer to a group of administrative units.
Nepaliरोक्नुहोस्
The word "रोक्नुहोस्" is derived from the Sanskrit word "रुक्" meaning "to obstruct".
Punjabiਬਲਾਕ
The Punjabi word "ਬਲਾਕ" can also refer to a small village or a portion of a town or city.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)වාරණය
The Sinhala word "වාරණය" can also mean "protection" or "prohibition".
Tamilதொகுதி
Tamil 'தொகுதி' derives from the Sanskrit term 'khanda', meaning 'fragment' or 'part,' and also refers to a territorial constituency in the context of elections.
Teluguబ్లాక్
The word “బ్లాక్” can also mean “stop” or “obstruction” in Telugu.
Urduبلاک
The term "ब्लॉक" (block) in Urdu can also refer to an obstacle or hindrance, or a group of buildings or houses.

Block in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)
In Chinese, the word "块" can also refer to a currency unit, a lump sum of money, or a type of Chinese steamed dumpling.
Chinese (Traditional)
"塊" in Chinese can also refer to a currency unit (i.e., yuan), a weight unit (i.e., 1000 grams), and a measure of land area (i.e., 100 square meters).
Japaneseブロック
The Japanese word "ブロック" (burokku) has its origins in the Dutch word "blok" and can also refer to a group, such as a political bloc or building block.
Korean블록
In Korean, "블록" (block) derives from English and retains its meaning as a discrete unit or building element, but also designates a city block, a period of time, a section of a program, and a hindrance.
Mongolianблок
In Mongolian, "блок" can also have the alternate meaning of "apartment complex".
Myanmar (Burmese)ပိတ်ပင်တားဆီးမှု

Block in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianblok
In Indonesian "blok" can also refer to an administrative subdistrict within a "kelurahan" (village), a "kompleks" (neighborhood) within a "blok", or a group of buildings and land, such as a "blok" of flats or offices.
Javaneseblok
The word "blok" in Javanese is cognate to the Malay word "blok" and ultimately derives from the Dutch word "blok" meaning "piece" or "block".
Khmerរារាំង
The word "រារាំង" in Khmer also has the alternate meaning of "to prohibit" or "to prevent".
Laoຕັນ
The word ຕັນ is derived from the Sanskrit word "stan" meaning "to stand"
Malaysekatan
The word "sekatan" in Malay can also refer to a restriction or obstacle, as in "sekatan jalan" (roadblock).
Thaiบล็อก
The Thai word "บล็อก" is derived from the English word "block", and also has the alternate meaning of "web log"
Vietnamesekhối
The Sino-Vietnamese word "khối" also means "mass", "volume" and "solidity" in the physical science context, a meaning not found in its Chinese cognate "块.
Filipino (Tagalog)harangan

Block in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniblok
"Blok" in Azerbaijani can also refer to a "segment" or a "chunk" of something.
Kazakhблок
Блок means "section" or "department" in Kazakh.
Kyrgyzблок
Блок (block) may also refer to a pulley or a unit of measure for volume in Central Asia.
Tajikблок
The word блок is borrowed from Russian and can alternatively mean the act of blocking, blockage, or impediment.
Turkmenblokirlemek
Uzbekblokirovka qilish
The word "blokirovka qilish" can also mean "to blockade" or "to bar".
Uyghurblock

Block in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianpalaka
The Hawaiian word "palaka" can also refer to a square, a mold, or a printing block.
Maoriaukati
The word aukati also refers to the last stage of the Maori life cycle, when they become frail and unable to care for themselves.
Samoanpoloka
The Samoan word poloka, meaning "block", is also used to refer to a type of traditional canoe race.
Tagalog (Filipino)harangan
"Harangan" also means "obstacle". In the past, people often used wooden harangan to bar the entrance of their houses.

Block in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarajark'aña
Guaranitape

Block in International Languages

Esperantobloko
The Esperanto word "bloko" also refers to a set of houses or a neighborhood
Latinobstructionum
"Obstructionum" can also mean 'obstacles' and 'hindrances'

Block in Others Languages

Greekοικοδομικο τετραγωνο
"ΟΙΚΟΔΟΜΙΚΟ ΤΕΤΡΑΓΩΝΟ" can also refer to a city block.
Hmongthaiv
Thai can also be an adjective describing something as "good," "well," "beautiful," or "healthy."
Kurdishdeste
The word "deste" in Kurdish can also refer to a set of playing cards or a stack of papers.
Turkishblok
In Turkish, "blok" also means "apartment building" or "large neighborhood"
Xhosaibhloko
"ibhloko" also means "prison" in Xhosa.
Yiddishפאַרשפּאַרן
The Yiddish word for "block" (פאַרשפּאַרן) can also mean "to bar" or "to obstruct".
Zuluvimba
Vimba may either refer to a block or lump (as in a block of stone or a lump of soil) or to the top or apex of something, such as the tip of a horn or the peak of a mountain.
Assameseঅৱৰুদ্ধ কৰা
Aymarajark'aña
Bhojpuriखंड
Dhivehiބްލޮކް
Dogriब्लाक
Filipino (Tagalog)harangan
Guaranitape
Ilocanolappedan
Krioblɔk
Kurdish (Sorani)بلۆک
Maithiliरुकावट
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯊꯤꯡꯕ
Mizodang
Oromodhowwuu
Odia (Oriya)ବ୍ଲକ
Quechuaharkay
Sanskritमृदुवस्तु
Tatarблок
Tigrinyaህንጻ
Tsongasiva

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