German Phrase
Die Straßen sind nicht passierbar.
Meaning
The sentence states that the streets cannot be travelled on – they are blocked, flooded, under construction, or otherwise unsafe. It is a factual description rather than a personal opinion.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to inform someone about road conditions, for example after heavy rain, a snowstorm, a traffic accident, or construction work that makes the roads impassable.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DieStraßensindnichtpassierbar
Definite article (plural)
"Die" is the nominative plural definite article used before feminine or masculine nouns in the plural.
Straßen (noun)
"Straßen" is the plural of "die Straße" (feminine), meaning "street(s)". In this sentence it is the subject.
sein (present, 3rd pl.)
"sind" is the present tense of "sein" for third‑person plural subjects.
Negation with nicht
"nicht" negates the adjective that follows; it is placed directly before "passierbar".
passierbar (adjective)
"passierbar" is a predicative adjective meaning "passable"; it does not take an ending after "sein".
🗨In Conversation
Kann ich heute mit dem Auto zur Arbeit fahren?
Can I drive to work today?
Die Straßen sind nicht passierbar, du musst den Zug nehmen.
The streets are not passable, you have to take the train.
✕Common Mistakes
Die Straßen sind passierbar nicht.
Placing "nicht" after the adjective (e.g., "passierbar nicht") is wrong; it must come before the adjective.
Die Straßen sind unpassierbar.
While "unpassierbar" exists, native speakers prefer the construction with "nicht passierbar" in traffic reports.
Die Straßen sind nicht passierbare.
The adjective should stay in its base form after "sein"; adding an ending makes it incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Die Straßen können nicht befahren werden.
The streets cannot be driven on.
Die Straßen sind gesperrt.
The streets are closed.
Man kann die Straßen nicht passieren.
One cannot pass the streets.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries road closures are announced via "Verkehrsmeldungen" on radio, TV and navigation apps. The adjective "passierbar" is common in official traffic reports, while everyday speakers often say "gesperrt" (closed) or "nicht befahrbar". Remember that "nicht" always precedes the adjective it negates, not the verb.