ocúpate
o-KOO-pah-teh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Ocúpate de la cena mientras yo limpio la sala.
A2Take care of dinner while I clean the living room.
No te preocupes por el perro, tú ocúpate de descansar.
B1Don't worry about the dog, you focus on resting.
Ocúpate de tus asuntos y déjame en paz.
B1Mind your own business and leave me alone.
💡 Grammar Points
The Accent Mark
When you stick the word 'te' onto the end of 'ocupa', the rhythm changes. We add an accent mark on the 'ú' to make sure the emphasis stays on the right syllable: o-KOO-pah-teh.
The Hidden 'Yourself'
The 'te' at the end is a reflexive part, meaning you are telling someone to occupy 'themselves' with a task.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Accent
Mistake: "ocupate"
Correction: ocúpate. Without the accent, the word would be pronounced differently (o-koo-PAH-teh), which is incorrect.
Using it Formally
Mistake: "Using 'ocúpate' with a boss."
Correction: Use 'ocúpese' for formal situations (usted). 'Ocúpate' is strictly for friends and family (tú).
⭐ Usage Tips
Gentle Delegation
Add 'por favor' (please) after 'ocúpate' to make the command sound like a helpful request rather than a bossy order.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ocúpate
Question 1 of 2
Which of these is the correct way to tell a close friend to 'take care of the bill'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ocúpate' rude?
It depends on your tone! It's a direct command, so it's best used with people you know well. Adding 'por favor' makes it perfectly polite.
What's the difference between 'ocúpate' and 'ocúpese'?
'Ocúpate' is for someone you call 'tú' (informal), while 'ocúpese' is for someone you call 'usted' (formal).