encerrada
/en-seh-RAH-dah/
locked up
A room where someone or something is locked inside.
encerrada(adjective)
locked up
?inside a room or building
trapped
?unable to get out of a place
,shut-in
?someone who stays indoors by choice or force
📝 In Action
La gata se quedó encerrada en el baño.
A1The cat got locked in the bathroom.
Me siento encerrada en esta oficina sin ventanas.
B1I feel trapped in this office without windows.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching Gender
Since this word ends in -a, it only describes feminine things. Use 'encerrada' for 'la niña' or 'la gata,' but use 'encerrado' for 'el niño' or 'el perro.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Encerrada vs. Cerrada
Mistake: "La puerta está encerrada."
Correction: La puerta está cerrada. 'Cerrada' means closed, while 'encerrada' means something is trapped inside.
⭐ Usage Tips
Feeling Trapped
You can use this word figuratively. If you have too much work and can't go out, you can say 'Estoy encerrada con el trabajo.'
A visual representation of a trap or a setup.
📝 In Action
Mis amigos me hicieron una encerrada para que hablara con mi ex.
B2My friends set a trap for me so I would talk to my ex.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Hacer'
When this word is a noun meaning 'a setup,' it is almost always used with the verb 'hacer' (to make/to do).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: encerrada
Question 1 of 2
If your keys are inside your car and you can't get them, the keys are...
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'encerrada' for a man?
No. If you are describing a man or a masculine object, you must change the ending to -o: 'encerrado.'
Is 'encerrada' the same as 'cerrada'?
Not quite. 'Cerrada' means closed (like a door). 'Encerrada' means something is closed *inside* something else (like a person in a room).