封鎖

• Reading: ふうさ
• Romaji: fuusa
• Kanji breakdown: 封 (fuu) — seal, enclose; 鎖 (sa) — chain, lock
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯː.sa/

Meaning

Blockade; lockdown; sealing off an area to prevent entry or exit.

A noun and suru verb describing the act of closing off an area or route. Used in military, political, medical, and everyday contexts. Common collocations include 道路封鎖 (road blockade), 経済封鎖 (economic blockade), and ロックダウン as a near-synonym. Gained widespread usage during pandemic-related lockdowns.

Examples

1. 事故のため高速道路が封鎖されている。 The highway is blocked off due to an accident.
2. 感染拡大を防ぐために都市が封鎖された。 The city was locked down to prevent the spread of infection.
3. 警察はビル周辺を封鎖して捜査を始めた。 Police sealed off the area around the building and began their investigation.

Usage Guide

Context: news, military, public health, emergencies

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 封 (fuu, to seal/enclose) + 鎖 (sa, chain/lock). Literally 'seal and chain,' conveying the image of locking down an area completely.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal