atrapado
“atrapado” means “trapped” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
trapped, caught
Also: stuck
📝 In Action
El gato estaba atrapado en el árbol.
A2The cat was trapped in the tree.
Encontraron al ladrón atrapado por la policía.
B1They found the thief caught by the police.
La pelota quedó atrapada entre las rocas.
A2The ball got stuck between the rocks.
stuck, bogged down
Also: tied up
📝 In Action
Me siento atrapado en este trabajo sin futuro.
B1I feel stuck in this dead-end job.
Estábamos atrapados en el tráfico durante dos horas.
A2We were stuck in traffic for two hours.
Ella se siente atrapada por la rutina diaria.
C1She feels trapped by the daily routine.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: atrapado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the verb 'atrapar' (to trap or catch), which itself is derived from the Spanish word 'trampa' (a trap or snare). The word 'atrapado' describes the result—the state of having been caught.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (as the verb form)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'atrapado' a verb or an adjective?
'Atrapado' is the past participle of the verb 'atrapar.' It is most often used as an adjective, meaning 'trapped' or 'stuck,' and must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes.
How do I say 'I am trapped'?
If you are male, say 'Estoy atrapado.' If you are female, say 'Estoy atrapada.' Remember to use 'estar' for this temporary state.

