French Conversation · Level 135
30 words
French word
obstruer
Pronunciation
IPA/ɔpstʁye/
Meaning
- verbblock
Example
N'obstruez pas la sortie.
Don't block the exit.
More examples
La graisse a obstrué la canalisation.
The grease clogged the pipe.
Core concept
A blockage across a route that stops movement, flow, or normal operation.
Common phrases
obstruer la canalisation
clog the pipe
Similar words
boucher: To plug a hole or opening and prevent anything from passing through.
bloquer: To physically halt passage or stop a process from moving forward.
Definition in French
Fermer ou boucher un passage de façon à empêcher le passage d'un liquide, d'un objet ou d'une personne; s'emploie aussi au sens figuré pour empêcher le déroulement ou le fonctionnement d'une chose.
Word origin
The verb comes from Latin obstruere, formed from ob- meaning 'against' and struere meaning 'to build or pile up'.
Usage tips
- Obstruer is formal and common in medical, legal, and technical writing, while boucher and bloquer are more usual in everyday speech.
Other meanings
- clogverb
- hinderverb
Opposites
- déboucherunclogverb
Related words
- obstructionblockagenoun
- obstruécloggedadjective