How to Say "covered" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “covered” is “cubierto” — use 'cubierto' when something is physically protected, hidden from view, or overlaid with a layer of something.
cubierto
koo-BYEHR-tohkuˈβjeɾto
Examples
La ventana estaba cubierta de polvo.
The window was covered in dust.
La mesa del jardín estaba cubierta por una lona.
The garden table was covered by a tarp.
Hoy el cielo está cubierto, parece que va a llover.
Today the sky is cloudy, it looks like it's going to rain.
Hemos cubierto todos los gastos del viaje.
We have covered all the expenses of the trip.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'cubierto' must match the thing it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural). For example: 'El plato está cubierto' (The plate is covered) vs. 'La mesa está cubierta' (The table is covered).
Irregular Past Participle
'Cubierto' is the irregular past participle of the verb 'cubrir' (to cover). This means it doesn't follow the usual '-ido' ending rule, but you use it exactly the same way to form perfect tenses (e.g., 'ha cubierto' = 'has covered').
Forgetting Gender
Mistake: “La caja está cubierto.”
Correction: La caja está cubierta. (Caja is feminine, so the adjective must be feminine.)
lleno
yeh-nohˈʝeno
Examples
El suelo estaba lleno de hojas secas.
The ground was covered in dry leaves.
El vaso está lleno de agua.
The glass is full of water.
No puedo comer más, estoy lleno.
I can't eat anymore, I'm full.
El autobús va lleno de gente.
The bus is full of people.
Matching the Noun
As a describing word, 'lleno' changes to match the thing it describes. Use 'llena' for feminine things, 'llenos' for plural masculine things, and 'llenas' for plural feminine things. (e.g., la botella llena, los vasos llenos).
Always Use 'Estar'
To say something 'is full', always use the verb 'estar' (e.g., El tanque está lleno). Using 'ser' is a common mistake because being full is a temporary state, not a permanent characteristic.
Using 'Ser' Instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: “El restaurante es lleno.”
Correction: El restaurante está lleno. Think of 'full' as a temporary condition. The restaurant could be empty later, so we use 'estar'.
corrió
Examples
El seguro corrió con los gastos de reparación.
The insurance covered the repair costs.
tapado
ta-PAH-dohtaˈpaðo
Examples
El agujero estaba tapado con una tabla.
The hole was covered with a board.
El fregadero está tapado y el agua no baja.
The sink is clogged and the water won't go down.
No puedo respirar bien porque tengo la nariz tapada.
I can't breathe well because I have a stuffy nose.
El cielo está totalmente tapado por las nubes.
The sky is completely covered by clouds.
Describing States with 'Estar'
Since being 'clogged' or 'covered' is usually a temporary condition, we use the verb 'estar' (to be) instead of 'ser'.
Matching the Ending
This word must change its ending to match what you are describing. Use 'tapado' for masculine items (el fregadero) and 'tapada' for feminine items (la nariz).
Stuffy Nose Error
Mistake: “Tengo una nariz bloqueada.”
Correction: Tengo la nariz tapada. While 'bloqueada' is understood, 'tapada' is the most natural way to say your nose is stuffed up in Spanish.
recorrido
reh-koh-REE-dohrekoˈriðo
Examples
Hemos cubierto una gran distancia hoy.
We have covered a great distance today.
Hemos recorrido muchos kilómetros hoy.
We have covered many kilometers today.
Esa zona ya estaba recorrida por el equipo de búsqueda.
That area had already been searched (covered) by the search team.
La distancia recorrida fue impresionante.
The distance traveled was impressive.
The 'Perfect Tense' Helper
When 'recorrido' is used with the verb 'haber' (like 'hemos recorrido'), it helps form the perfect tenses, which describe actions completed in the past. In these cases, it never changes its ending.
Acting Like an Adjective
When 'recorrido' describes a noun (like 'la calle recorrida'), it must agree in gender and number: 'recorrida' (f. singular), 'recorridos' (m. plural), 'recorridas' (f. plural).
Mixing Adjective and Verb Use
Mistake: “La distancia ha sido recorrida por nosotros.”
Correction: La distancia ha sido recorrida por nosotros. (Mistake is only confusing the rule: 'recorrida' must agree with 'distancia' when used in the passive voice or as a true adjective.)
envuelto
en-BWEL-tohenˈbwelto
Examples
El pueblo estaba envuelto en niebla.
The town was covered in fog.
El regalo está envuelto en papel azul.
The gift is wrapped in blue paper.
El bebé estaba envuelto en una manta suave.
The baby was wrapped in a soft blanket.
El pico de la montaña está envuelto en nubes.
The mountain peak is covered in clouds.
Matching the Ending
Since this word is describing something, you must change the ending to 'envuelta' for feminine things or 'envueltos/as' for plurals.
The 'Envolvido' Trap
Mistake: “Using 'envolvido' instead of 'envuelto'.”
Correction: Always use 'envuelto'. Even though most verbs follow a pattern, this one is a rebel and has its own special form.
velada
veh-LAH-dahbeˈlaða
Examples
Llevaba la cara velada por un fino velo.
Her face was covered by a fine veil.
La novia llevaba la cara velada por una fina tela.
The bride had her face veiled by a thin fabric.
Hizo una referencia velada a los problemas de la empresa.
She made a veiled reference to the company's problems.
Agreement Rule
As an adjective, 'velada' must match the thing it describes in number and gender (e.g., 'una crítica velada,' but 'un mensaje velado').
Past Participle Use
This form comes directly from the verb 'velar' (to veil or watch over). It describes something that has been veiled.
Physical vs. Full
Related Translations
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