litumi
B1+ · Upper-intermediate15 min

Everyday problems

Learn 5 words for thematic vocabulary: blocked drain, flat tyre, power cut, shortage, out of order.

Words in context

Read the definitions and examples. Say each word aloud, then try to recall its meaning before looking at the translation. Save the words you want to revisit.

blocked drain /ˌblɒkt ˈdreɪn/

засмічений слив, zatkany odpływ, verstopfter Abfluss, drenaje obstruido, canalisation bouchée, scarico intasato, dreno entupido, tıkanmış drenaj, استنزاف مسدود, 排水管堵塞, 排水管の詰まり, 막힌 배수구, रुकी हुई नाली, βουλωμένη αποχέτευση, ucpaný odtok, canalizare înfundată, verstopte afvoer, igensatt avlopp, ניקוז סתום, ჩაკეტილი სანიაღვრე

A pipe opening that water cannot pass through.

“A blocked drain caused water to collect in the sink.”

flat tyre /ˌflæt ˈtaɪə/

спущена шина, płaska opona, platter Reifen, llanta pinchada, pneu crevé, gomma a terra, pneu furado, patlak lastik, الإطارات المسطحة, 轮胎漏气, パンクしたタイヤ, 타이어 펑크, सपाट टायर, σκασμένο λάστιχο, prázdná pneumatika, cauciucul deflat, lekke band, punkterat däck, פנצ'ר בצמיג, გაფუჭებული საბურავი

A tyre that has lost its air.

“We stopped to change a flat tyre beside the road.”

power cut /ˈpaʊə kʌt/

відключення електрики, przerwa w dostawie prądu, Stromausfall, corte de energía, panne de courant, interruzione di corrente, queda de energia, elektrik kesintisi, انقطاع التيار الكهربائي, 停电, 停電, 정전, बिजली कटौती, διακοπή ρεύματος, výpadek proudu, pană de curent, stroomstoring, strömavbrott, הפסקת חשמל, დენის გათიშვა

A temporary loss of the electricity supply.

“The lights went out during the power cut.”

shortage /ˈʃɔːtɪdʒ/

нестача, niedobór, Mangel, escasez, pénurie, carenza, escassez, kıtlık, نقص, 短缺, 不足, 부족, कमी, έλλειψη, nedostatek, lipsa, tekort, brist, מחסור, დეფიციტი

A situation in which there is not enough of something.

“The town faced a water shortage after months without rain.”

out of order /ˌaʊt əv ˈɔːdə/

не працює, nie działa, funktioniert nicht, no funciona, ça ne marche pas, non funziona, não funciona, çalışmıyor, لا يعمل, 不起作用, 機能しない, 작동하지 않습니다, काम नहीं करता, δεν λειτουργεί, nefunguje, nu merge, werkt niet, fungerar inte, לא עובד, არ მუშაობს

Not functioning correctly, of a machine.

“The lift is out of order, so please use the stairs.”

Your progress

Ready to move on?

Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.

My plan

Let's practice

Try it yourself

Your answers and place are saved on this device.
Question 1 of 50% complete

Choose the word: A pipe opening that water cannot pass through.

Keep learning

Choose your next small step

Continue this topic or practice every English skill at the same level.

Can't find the English topic you need? Request a lesson or test.

All B1+ vocabulary lessons