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How to Say "forced" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “forced” is “obligado” — use 'obligado' when describing someone or something that has been compelled or made to do something, often in a passive sense or as an adjective describing the state of being compelled..

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obligado

oh-blee-GAH-doh/oβliˈɣaðo/

Past ParticipleB1General
Use 'obligado' when describing someone or something that has been compelled or made to do something, often in a passive sense or as an adjective describing the state of being compelled.
A tired but relieved cartoon character sitting next to a massive gray boulder at the top of a steep grassy hill, symbolizing a difficult, completed obligation.

Examples

Me sentí obligado a aceptar la oferta.

I felt obliged to accept the offer.

El jefe nos ha obligado a trabajar horas extras.

The boss has obliged us to work overtime.

Fue obligado a firmar el contrato.

He was forced to sign the contract.

Forming Perfect Tenses

This form ('obligado') combines with the verb 'haber' (to have) to create perfect tenses, which talk about actions completed in the past: 'Hemos obligado' (We have obliged).

The Passive Voice

It also works with the verb 'ser' (to be) to show that someone received the action: 'Ella fue obligada' (She was forced/obliged).

Using 'Estar' instead of 'Haber'

Mistake: “Do not use 'estar' to form perfect tenses. The structure is always 'Haber' + Past Participle.”

Correction: Say 'Hemos obligado' (We have obliged), never 'Estamos obligado'.

forzado

/for-SAH-doh//forˈθaðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'forzado' when something has been done using physical force or against someone's will, especially when describing an object that has been physically opened or manipulated.
A small child being gently pulled by the hand toward a plate of vegetables.

Examples

La ventana estaba forzada.

The window was forced open.

La policía encontró una puerta forzada en el banco.

The police found a door that had been forced open at the bank.

Fue un aterrizaje forzado, pero todos están a salvo.

It was a forced landing, but everyone is safe.

Matching the word it describes

Since this acts as an adjective, remember to change the ending: 'forzada' for feminine things, or 'forzados/forzadas' for plural things.

Forzado vs. Fuerte

Mistake: “Using 'forzado' to mean 'strong'.”

Correction: Use 'fuerte' for strength. 'Forzado' only means that force was applied to something or that it was required.

obligó

VerbA2General
Use 'obligó' (the preterite tense of 'obligar') when referring to a specific past instance where someone or something compelled another person to do something.

Examples

El mal tiempo nos obligó a cancelar el viaje.

The bad weather forced us to cancel the trip.

artificial

/ar-tee-fee-SYAL//aɾtifiˈsjal/

AdjectiveB2General
Use 'artificial' when describing something that is not natural, genuine, or spontaneous, often implying insincerity or being made by humans rather than occurring naturally.
A wooden puppet wearing a mask with a painted-on smile.

Examples

Su entusiasmo parecía forzado.

His enthusiasm seemed forced.

Ella me dio una sonrisa un poco artificial.

She gave me a somewhat fake smile.

Su entusiasmo parecía muy artificial.

His enthusiasm seemed very forced.

Obligado vs. Forzado

Learners often confuse 'obligado' and 'forzado'. Remember that 'obligado' generally refers to being compelled or required (often by rules or social pressure), while 'forzado' usually implies physical force or unnaturalness. Think of 'obligado' for duties and 'forzado' for physical actions or unnatural behavior.

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