Inklingo

How to Say "obsessed" in Spanish

English → Spanish

obsesionado

ohb-seh-syoh-NAH-doh/oβse.sjoˈnaðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'obsesionado' when someone is mentally fixated on a particular hobby, person, or activity, to the point where it significantly occupies their thoughts.
A simplified illustration showing a person staring intently at a red star placed on a table. Large thought bubbles float above the person's head, and every bubble contains the image of the identical red star, symbolizing obsession or mental fixation.

Examples

Mi primo está obsesionado con los videojuegos retro.

My cousin is obsessed with retro video games.

Ella parecía obsesionada con el trabajo, nunca descansaba.

She seemed obsessed with work; she never rested.

Estaban obsesionados con encontrar el tesoro perdido.

They were obsessed with finding the lost treasure.

Agreement is Key

Since this is an adjective, it must change its ending to match the person or thing being described: 'obsesionada' (female singular), 'obsesionados' (masculine plural), or 'obsesionadas' (feminine plural).

The 'Con' Connection

When saying what someone is obsessed with, Spanish almost always uses the preposition 'con' (with). Example: 'obsesionado CON la música'.

Choosing the Wrong 'To Be'

Mistake: “Soy obsesionado con mi trabajo.”

Correction: Estoy obsesionado con mi trabajo. (This describes a temporary or current mental state, so use 'estar'.)

fanático

adjectiveB1general
Use 'fanático' to describe someone who has an extremely enthusiastic and often uncritical devotion to something, like a sports team, a political cause, or a celebrity.

Examples

Ellos tienen unos comportamientos muy fanáticos.

They have very fanatical behaviors.

Fanático vs. Obsesionado

Learners often confuse 'fanático' and 'obsesionado.' Remember that 'obsesionado' is about a mental fixation, while 'fanático' describes an extreme, uncritical devotion or enthusiasm, often related to group identity.

Related Translations

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