Portuguese Phrase
As estradas estão totalmente bloqueadas.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that every road is completely blocked, usually because of an accident, construction, protest, or severe weather. It conveys a temporary, situational condition rather than a permanent state.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to inform someone about current traffic conditions, give a travel warning, or explain why a planned route cannot be taken. It is common in news bulletins, radio traffic updates, and everyday conversation about commuting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Asestradasestãototalmentebloqueadas.
Definite article (As)
‘As’ is the feminine plural definite article, used before plural feminine nouns like ‘estradas’.
Noun (estradas)
‘Estrada’ means ‘road’; in the plural it becomes ‘estradas’ and agrees with the article ‘as’.
Verb ‘estar’ (estão)
‘Estão’ is the third‑person plural present of ‘estar’, used for temporary states such as a road being blocked.
Adverb (totalmente)
‘Totalmente’ modifies the adjective ‘bloqueadas’, meaning ‘completely’ or ‘totally’.
Past participle as adjective (bloqueadas)
‘Bloqueadas’ is the feminine plural form of the past participle of ‘bloquear’, agreeing with ‘estradas’.
🗨In Conversation
As estradas estão totalmente bloqueadas.
The roads are completely blocked.
Então vamos pegar o trem.
Then we'll take the train.
✕Common Mistakes
As estradas são totalmente bloqueadas.
Use ‘estão’ (estar) for temporary conditions; ‘são’ (ser) describes permanent characteristics.
As estradas estão totalmente bloqueado.
The adjective must agree in gender and number with ‘estradas’; use the feminine plural form ‘bloqueadas’.
As estradas estão total bloqueadas.
‘Total’ is an adjective; you need the adverb ‘totalmente’ to modify ‘bloqueadas’.
↔Alternatives
Todas as vias estão completamente obstruídas.
All the routes are completely obstructed.
Nenhuma estrada está livre para tráfego.
No road is free for traffic.
As ruas estão totalmente interditadas.
The streets are totally closed.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, road blockages are often reported on radio and TV during strikes, protests, or heavy rain. The verb ‘estar’ is preferred over ‘ser’ because the blockage is a temporary condition. When speaking to authorities or in formal contexts, you might say ‘as vias públicas estão interditadas’ for a more official tone.