sperren
Translation
to block, to lock, to close, to ban
Examples
Sie sperrten die Straße wegen des Unfalls.
They blocked the road because of the accident.
Die Bank sperrte sein Konto.
The bank blocked his account.
Man sperrte den Athleten für ein Jahr.
The athlete was banned for a year.
Grammar Patterns
((et4)) sperren to block/lock (sth.) The police blocked the road.
((j-n)) sperren to ban/suspend (sb.) The association banned the player.
Similar Words
blockieren (to block), schließen (to close), verbieten (to prohibit)
Etymology
Derived from Old High German 'sperren', 'to close with a bar'. Connected to 'Sperre' (barrier).
Memory Tips
Think of a 'spare' key that you don't have, so the door is 'sperren' (locked).