Inklingo

How to Say "obsessed" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “obsessed” is “obsesionado” — use 'obsesionado' when someone has a strong, persistent mental fixation on a particular topic or activity, often to an unhealthy degree.

English → Spanish

obsesionado

ohb-seh-syoh-NAH-dohoβse.sjoˈnaðo

adjectiveB1
Use 'obsesionado' when someone has a strong, persistent mental fixation on a particular topic or activity, often to an unhealthy degree.
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'.)

clavado

klah-BAH-dohklaˈβaðo

adjectiveB2informal
Choose 'clavado' to describe someone who is intensely engrossed or hooked on something, showing a deep and enthusiastic interest.
A person happily surrounded by many books and a magnifying glass, looking closely at a butterfly.

Examples

Juan está muy clavado con esa nueva serie de Netflix.

Juan is really hooked on that new Netflix series.

No me hables de él, estoy muy clavada.

Don't talk to me about him, I'm really infatuated.

Se quedó clavado con el problema de matemáticas hasta que lo resolvió.

He got obsessed with the math problem until he solved it.

Using 'con' vs 'de'

Use 'con' for things or hobbies (con el fútbol) and 'de' or 'con' for people you like.

Too formal

Mistake: “Estoy obsesionado con ella.”

Correction: In a casual chat with friends, 'Estoy clavado' sounds much more natural and less clinical.

fanático

adjectiveB1
Use 'fanático' for someone whose thoughts and behaviors are excessively focused on one specific thing, often to an extreme or irrational degree.

Examples

Ellos tienen unos comportamientos muy fanáticos.

They have very fanatical behaviors.

rallado

ra-YA-doraˈʝaðo

adjectiveB2informal
Employ 'rallado' when someone is overthinking or excessively worrying about a specific problem or situation, to the point of mental distress.
A small cartoon bird with a furrowed brow and crossed arms looking frustrated.

Examples

No te quedes rallado por lo que dijo, no era en serio.

Don't get all obsessed/worried about what he said; he wasn't serious.

Estoy muy rallado con este problema de matemáticas.

I'm really stuck/annoyed overthinking this math problem.

Ayer Carlos estaba muy rallado y no quiso salir.

Yesterday Carlos was really upset/tripping out and didn't want to go out.

Use with 'Estar'

When using this as a feeling, always use 'estar' (to be in a state). You wouldn't use 'ser' because this isn't a permanent personality trait.

Spelling confusion

Mistake: “Writing 'rayado' for this meaning.”

Correction: While many people use 'rayado' (like a scratched record), in Spain 'rallado' (like your brain being grated) is a very common informal spelling for this slang.

Obsesionado vs. Clavado

Learners often confuse 'obsesionado' and 'clavado'. Remember, 'obsesionado' implies a potentially unhealthy mental fixation, while 'clavado' suggests deep, enthusiastic interest or being 'hooked' on something enjoyable.

Related Translations

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