French Phrase
Ne bloque pas les portes.
Meaning
Literally, ‘Don’t block the doors.’ It is a direct, polite command telling someone not to obstruct doorways or keep them closed with objects or bodies.
When to use
Use this phrase on signs in public buildings, in a workplace, or when speaking to someone who is standing in a doorway. It’s common on safety notices, museums, schools, and transport hubs.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nebloquepaslesportes.
Negative Imperative (Ne…pas)
To give a negative command in French, place ‘Ne’ before the verb and ‘pas’ after it. The verb stays in the second‑person singular form (bloque).
Verb bloquer → bloque
‘Bloquer’ means ‘to block’. In the imperative you drop the infinitive ending –er and add an ‘e’ (bloque) for the tu form.
Definite article les
‘Les’ is the plural definite article, used here because ‘portes’ (doors) is plural.
🗨In Conversation
Excusez‑moi, vous pourriez déplacer votre sac ?
Excuse me, could you move your bag?
Ne bloque pas les portes, s’il vous plaît.
Don’t block the doors, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Pas bloque les portes.
The negative particles must surround the verb: ‘Ne … pas’, not ‘pas bloque’.
Ne bloquer pas les portes.
In the imperative you cannot use the infinitive ‘bloquer’; you need the conjugated form ‘bloque’.
Ne bloque les portes.
Missing ‘pas’ makes the sentence affirmative: ‘Don’t block the doors’ becomes ‘Block the doors’.
↔Alternatives
Ne bloquez pas les portes.
Don’t block the doors. (formal or plural)
Veuillez ne pas bloquer les portes.
Please do not block the doors.
Ne bloque pas les entrées.
Don’t block the entrances.
Cultural Tip
French signs often use the informal ‘tu’ form for short, direct commands, especially in schools or workplaces. In public spaces you’ll more often see the formal ‘vous’ form (Ne bloquez pas les portes) or a polite construction with ‘Veuillez’. Remember that the final ‘s’ in ‘portes’ is silent, so the phrase sounds like ‘…le pɔʁt’.