bloque
nounCEFR B2
What does “bloque” mean in English?
bloc, block —
bloc, block — (1) a political or geopolitical grouping of countries or parties; (2) a physical block of material; (3) a block of flats/apartment building (bloque de pisos; bloque occidental; en bloque)
Example sentences
El bloque de países emergentes presentó una propuesta conjunta ante la asamblea de la organización internacional.
The bloc of emerging countries presented a joint proposal before the assembly of the international organisation.
Los vecinos del bloque se organizaron para exigir mejoras en el sistema de calefacción centralizada.
The residents of the block of flats organised to demand improvements to the centralised heating system.
How to use it
El bloque (noun, masculine) covers three B2 meanings: (1) a political or geopolitical bloc (el bloque occidental/soviético); (2) a physical block of material (un bloque de piedra/hormigón); (3) a block of flats/residential building (un bloque de pisos). Core collocations: bloque de viviendas; bloque político/comercial; el bloque de oposición; en bloque (as a bloc/all together). Don't confuse with manzana (city block in Latin America).
Common mistake
The plural en bloque means 'en masse, all together' — don't translate it literally. 'City block' = manzana (Latin America) or manzana/bloque depending on region. In political contexts, bloque almost always refers to a political grouping, not a physical structure.