encerrado
/en-se-RRAH-doh/
locked in
When someone is physically restricted, they are 'locked in' or encerrado.
encerrado(adjective)
locked in
?physical confinement
,shut in
?stuck inside a place
confined
?limited movement
📝 In Action
El perro estuvo encerrado en la casa todo el día.
A2The dog was locked in the house all day.
Me sentía encerrado en mi apartamento durante la cuarentena.
B1I felt shut in (or confined) in my apartment during quarantine.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Estar' vs. 'Ser'
Since this word describes a temporary state (being locked up), it almost always pairs with the verb 'estar' (to be) rather than 'ser'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: "La puerta está encerrado."
Correction: La puerta está encerrada. (The ending must change to '-a' to match the feminine word 'puerta'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking about Feeling Trapped
You can use 'sentirse encerrado' (to feel shut in) when describing emotional or physical restriction, like being stuck in a small town or a boring job.
If someone has a reserved personality, they can be described as encerrado, meaning 'withdrawn'.
encerrado(adjective)
withdrawn
?personality trait
,reserved
?shy or unsociable
introverted
?preferring solitude
📝 In Action
Mi hermano es un poco encerrado; prefiere leer a salir de fiesta.
B2My brother is a bit withdrawn; he prefers reading to going out partying.
Su naturaleza encerrada hacía difícil conocerla bien.
C1Her reserved nature made it difficult to get to know her well.
💡 Grammar Points
Permanent Traits
When describing a permanent personality trait, you use the verb 'ser' (to be) instead of 'estar': 'Ella es encerrada' (She is a reserved person).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Caution
While it describes shyness, 'encerrado' can sometimes imply someone is too withdrawn or perhaps isolated, so choose 'reservado' for a softer description.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: encerrado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'encerrado' to describe a permanent personality trait?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'encerrado' only used for people?
No. While it can describe a person's mood or personality, it is most commonly used for objects, animals, or places that are physically shut in or locked, like 'la puerta encerrada' (the locked door).
Since this word ends in -ado, is it always a verb form?
Not always! While 'encerrado' is the past participle of the verb 'encerrar' (to lock up), when it is used on its own, it functions as an adjective, describing a state or quality, just like 'tired' or 'happy' in English. It must change its ending (encerrada, encerrados, encerradas) to match the thing it describes.