close, shut, cover, block, obstruct
塞 centers on blocking passage or access: closing, shutting, covering, or obstructing so that nothing can get through.
塞 is composed of 宀 (roof) over a complex middle and 土 (earth) at the bottom, suggesting earth piled up to block or close off an opening under a roof. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the modern form visually supports the idea of obstruction.
Under a roof (宀), earth (土) is piled up between two hands (ハ) to block the entrance. Picture someone shoveling dirt to close off a cave.
For ソク, imagine a sock stuffed into a pipe to block it: sock -> ソク, and the pipe is completely obstructed.
fort; stronghold; fortification
blockage; blockade; blocking up; stoppage; obstruction; occlusion
stoppage; blocking
to dam up (a stream); to dam
heart attack; myocardial infarction
to stop up; to close up; to block (up); to plug up; to shut up; to cover (ears, eyes, etc.); to close (eyes, mouth)
fortress; stronghold; citadel
to be closed; to be blocked; to be healed (e.g. wound); to be shut up
embolus; abnormal substance (i.e. air) circulating in the blood
intestinal obstruction; ileus
being closed; being blocked up; being occupied; hindrance; impedance
to close up; to block up; to fill; to cover
surprising; shocking; jaw-dropping
surprising; shocking; jaw-dropping
occlusion in the circle of Willis
lacunar infarction
inscrutable are the ways of heaven; fortune is unpredictable and changeable
upasaka (devout male lay follower of Buddhism)
plug; full up; being filled; stopped up
prohibition of speaking; imposition of silence; tiny morsel