ocupado
/oh-koo-PAH-doh/
busy
When referring to a person's schedule, ocupado means busy.
ocupado(Adjective)
busy
?referring to a person's schedule or activities
tied up
?unavailable due to work or other commitments
,engaged
?involved in an activity
📝 In Action
Lo siento, no puedo ir al cine, estoy muy ocupado.
A1I'm sorry, I can't go to the movies, I'm very busy.
Ella es una doctora muy ocupada, siempre tiene pacientes.
A2She is a very busy doctor, she always has patients.
Nos mantuvimos ocupados todo el fin de semana con la mudanza.
B1We kept ourselves busy all weekend with the move.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Use with 'Estar'
When you say someone is busy, you're talking about their current state or condition, which can change. For this, always use the verb 'estar'. So, you say 'estoy ocupado' (I am busy), not 'soy ocupado'.
Matching the Person
This word must change to match the person you're talking about. Use 'ocupado' for a man, 'ocupada' for a woman, 'ocupados' for a group of men or a mixed group, and 'ocupadas' for a group of women.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Ocupado' and 'Preocupado'
Mistake: "Estoy muy preocupado con el trabajo, tengo muchas reuniones."
Correction: Estoy muy ocupado con el trabajo, tengo muchas reuniones. 'Ocupado' means busy, while 'preocupado' sounds similar but means worried.
⭐ Usage Tips
Politely Declining
'Estoy ocupado/a' is the perfect, simple way to politely explain why you can't do something. For example: '¿Quieres ir a cenar?' 'Me encantaría, pero estoy ocupada.'
When referring to a space, ocupado means taken or occupied.
ocupado(Adjective)
taken
?a seat, a parking spot, a space
,occupied
?a bathroom, a room, a territory
in use
?a machine or device
,engaged
?a phone line
📝 In Action
Quise entrar al baño, pero la puerta decía 'ocupado'.
A2I wanted to go into the bathroom, but the door said 'occupied'.
Este asiento está ocupado, lo siento.
A2This seat is taken, sorry.
Intenté llamar a mi mamá, pero el teléfono estaba ocupado.
B1I tried to call my mom, but the phone was busy/engaged.
💡 Grammar Points
Still Uses 'Estar'
Just like when a person is busy, a place being 'taken' is a temporary state. So you continue to use 'estar'. For example, 'El baño está ocupado' (The bathroom is occupied).
Matching the Thing
The word ending must change to match the thing it describes. For example, 'el asiento está ocupado' (masculine), but 'la mesa está ocupada' (feminine).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ocupado' for a Full Container
Mistake: "La botella está ocupada con agua."
Correction: La botella está llena de agua. Use 'ocupado' for a space that is in use by someone or something, and 'lleno' for a container that is full.
⭐ Usage Tips
On Signs
You will often see 'Ocupado' on the lock of a public restroom or on a sign for a meeting room. 'Libre' is the opposite you'll see when it's available.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ocupado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'ocupado' correctly?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'ocupado' and 'preocupado'?
They sound similar but are very different! 'Ocupado' means 'busy' or 'occupied'. 'Preocupado' means 'worried'. A good way to remember is that 'preocupado' has 'pre-' like you are 'pre-occupied' with a worry.
Why do I have to use 'estar' with 'ocupado' and not 'ser'?
Great question! In Spanish, you use 'estar' for conditions or states that can change, and 'ser' for more permanent characteristics. Being busy ('ocupado') is a temporary state — you might be busy now, but you'll be free later. The same goes for a bathroom being occupied. That's why you always say 'estoy ocupado' or 'el baño está ocupado'.
How is 'ocupado' related to the verb 'ocupar'?
'Ocupado' is what's called the past participle of the verb 'ocupar' (to occupy). This form can be used with the verb 'haber' to form perfect tenses (e.g., 'He ocupado este asiento' - I have occupied this seat), but it's most commonly used on its own as an adjective to describe something that *is* occupied.