Spanish Conversation · Level 46
75 words
Spanish word
inmovilizar
Pronunciation
IPA/immoβiliˈθaɾ/
Meaning
- verbimmobilize
Example
La policía inmovilizó el coche.
The police immobilized the car.
More examples
El banco inmovilizó las cuentas tras detectar actividad sospechosa.
The bank froze the accounts after detecting suspicious activity.
Core concept
A person or vehicle held motionless.
Common phrases
inmovilizar las cuentas
freeze the accounts
inmovilizar los bienes
seize the assets
Similar words
detener: Stops a moving person or object by applying force or deliberate action.
parar: Brings a moving object or person to a halt.
frenar: Reduces speed or slows the motion of a vehicle or person.
bloquear: Obstructs a passage or mechanism so movement cannot occur.
Definition in Spanish
Hacer que una persona, vehículo u objeto quede sin capacidad de movimiento, de forma temporal o definitiva.
Word origin
Formed with the negative prefix in- plus movilizar, where movilizar comes from Spanish móvil (from Latin mobilis) meaning 'movable'.
Usage tips
- When used about vehicles or machines, inmovilizar can mean a physical restraint (clamp, tow) or an administrative/legal measure (impoundment, suspension), and context shows which sense applies.
Other meanings
- secureverb
- restrainverb
Opposites
- desbloquearunlockverb
- liberarreleaseverb
Related words
- inmovilizaciónfreezingnoun