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ocupar

oh-koo-PAHRo.kuˈpaɾ

to occupy, to take up

Also: to fill, to hold
VerbA2regular ar
A large, fluffy blue teddy bear sitting inside a small, red cardboard box, completely filling the space and demonstrating occupancy.
past Participleocupado
gerundocupando
infinitiveocupar

📝 In Action

¿Este asiento está ocupado?

A1

Is this seat taken (occupied)?

Mi trabajo ocupa la mayor parte de mi día.

A2

My job takes up the majority of my day.

La mesa tan grande ocupa demasiado espacio en la cocina.

B1

The large table occupies too much space in the kitchen.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desocupar (to vacate, empty)

Common Collocations

  • ocupar un lugar – to take a place/spot
  • ocupar espacio – to take up space

to hold, to fill

VerbB1regular arformal
A smiling squirrel wearing a suit, sitting confidently behind a large, mahogany desk, holding a small wooden gavel, symbolizing holding an office.
past Participleocupado
gerundocupando
infinitiveocupar

📝 In Action

El presidente ocupa el cargo por cuatro años.

B1

The president holds the post for four years.

Necesitamos a alguien que ocupe esta vacante inmediatamente.

B2

We need someone to fill this vacancy immediately.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ocupar un puesto – to hold a position
  • ocupar un cargo – to hold an office/post

to occupy, to seize

VerbB2regular arformal
A small, bright blue flag being firmly planted on the highest turret of a simple stone castle, symbolizing control or military occupation.
past Participleocupado
gerundocupando
infinitiveocupar

📝 In Action

El ejército ocupó la capital tras la revuelta.

B2

The army occupied the capital after the revolt.

Los manifestantes ocuparon el edificio gubernamental.

C1

The protesters seized (occupied) the government building.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • ocupar territorio – to occupy territory

to take care of, to deal with

Also: to be busy with, to handle
VerbA2regular (reflexive) ar
A person kneeling in a bright, sunny garden, focused intently on carefully tending to a small, vibrant green seedling with a tiny trowel, symbolizing taking care of a task.
past Participleocupado
gerundocupándose
infinitiveocuparse

📝 In Action

No te preocupes, yo me ocupo de la cena.

A2

Don't worry, I'll take care of dinner.

Siempre se ocupa de que todo esté perfecto.

B1

He always makes sure (takes care) that everything is perfect.

¿De qué te ocupas en tu trabajo?

B1

What do you deal with (What are you busy with) in your job?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • encargarse (to take charge of)
  • atender (to attend to)

Common Collocations

  • ocuparse de – to deal with/take care of
  • estar ocupado(a) – to be busy

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

él/ella/ustedocupara
yoocupara
ellos/ellas/ustedesocuparan
túocuparas
vosotrosocuparais
nosotrosocupáramos

present

él/ella/ustedocupe
yoocupe
ellos/ellas/ustedesocupen
túocupes
vosotrosocupéis
nosotrosocupemos

indicative

imperfect

él/ella/ustedocupaba
yoocupaba
ellos/ellas/ustedesocupaban
túocupabas
vosotrosocupabais
nosotrosocupábamos

present

él/ella/ustedocupa
yoocupo
ellos/ellas/ustedesocupan
túocupas
vosotrosocupáis
nosotrosocupamos

preterite

él/ella/ustedocupó
yoocupé
ellos/ellas/ustedesocuparon
túocupaste
vosotrosocupasteis
nosotrosocupamos
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "ocupar" in Spanish:

to fill→to handle→to hold→to occupy→to seize→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: ocupar

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses the reflexive form ('ocuparse') correctly?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
ocupación(occupation, job, activity) — Noun
desocupado(unoccupied, unemployed) — Adjective
preocupar(to worry) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin *occupāre*, which meant 'to seize, take possession of, or fill up.' Its core idea of 'taking' or 'filling' something—be it space, a job, or your time—has remained consistent for centuries.

First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish

Cognates (Related words)

English: occupyFrench: occuper

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'ocupar' and 'ocuparse'?

'Ocupar' is transitive and means 'to take up' or 'to fill' (space, a job, a seat). 'Ocuparse (de)' is reflexive and means 'to handle,' 'to deal with,' or 'to take care of' a task or responsibility.

How do I say 'I am busy'?

The most common way is using the past participle with 'estar': 'Estoy ocupado' (if you are male) or 'Estoy ocupada' (if you are female).