atacado
/ah-tah-KAH-doh/
stressed out
When someone is 'atacado' (stressed out), they feel emotionally overwhelmed.
atacado(Adjective)
stressed out
?emotionally overwhelmed
,agitated
?nervous, worked up
a nervous wreck
?idiomatic translation of 'estar atacado de los nervios'
📝 In Action
No la molestes, está atacada con el examen de mañana.
B2Don't bother her, she is stressed out about tomorrow's exam.
Después de la noticia, me quedé totalmente atacado de los nervios.
C1After the news, I became a total nervous wreck.
💡 Grammar Points
Use with ESTAR
When 'atacado' means 'stressed' or 'agitated,' it almost always pairs with the verb 'estar' (to be temporarily) because it describes a temporary emotional state.
⭐ Usage Tips
Emotional Intensity
This word implies a strong, often visible, level of distress or anxiety—it's stronger than just 'nervous'.
The adjective 'atacado' describes something that has been attacked or assaulted.
atacado(Adjective)
attacked
?physically or militarily assaulted
,afflicted
?suffering from a disease or problem
assaulted
?violently attacked
📝 In Action
El castillo fue atacado por el ejército enemigo.
B1The castle was attacked by the enemy army.
El bosque está atacado por una plaga de insectos.
B2The forest is afflicted by an insect plague.
💡 Grammar Points
Passive Voice
In this meaning, 'atacado' is often used to describe the recipient of an action, like 'The city was attacked' (La ciudad fue atacada).
As a past participle, 'atacado' is used with 'haber' to form perfect tenses (e.g., 'ha sido atacado' - it has been attacked).
📝 In Action
El equipo nunca había atacado con tanta fuerza.
A2The team had never attacked with such force.
Ella dice que el perro la ha atacado dos veces.
B1She says the dog has attacked her twice.
💡 Grammar Points
Perfect Tenses
The past participle ('atacado') is the second part of perfect tenses, always following a form of the helping verb 'haber.' It never changes its ending (it stays -o) when used this way.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Incorrect Agreement
Mistake: "La mujer ha atacada a un hombre."
Correction: La mujer ha atacado a un hombre. (The past participle used with 'haber' never agrees with the subject; it stays 'atacado').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: atacado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'atacado' to mean 'stressed' or 'agitated'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'atacado' change its ending depending on who is stressed?
Yes, when used as an adjective (meaning 'stressed' or 'attacked'), it must match the person or thing it describes: 'El está atacado,' 'Ella está atacada,' 'Ellos están atacados,' 'Ellas están atacadas.'
Is 'atacado' always negative?
Usually, yes. It either describes being physically assaulted or emotionally overwhelmed/stressed. However, in some regional slang, 'atacado de risa' means to be 'attacked by laughter'—laughing hysterically.