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How to Say "occupied" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ocupado

/oh-koo-PAH-doh//okuˈpaðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'ocupado' when referring to a place like a bathroom stall, a room, or a territory that is currently in use or taken by someone.
A cozy wooden chair occupied by a sleeping orange tabby cat curled up on the cushion.

Examples

El teléfono está ocupado.

The phone is busy/occupied.

Quise entrar al baño, pero la puerta decía 'ocupado'.

I wanted to go into the bathroom, but the door said 'occupied'.

Este asiento está ocupado, lo siento.

This seat is taken, sorry.

Intenté llamar a mi mamá, pero el teléfono estaba ocupado.

I tried to call my mom, but the phone was busy/engaged.

Still Uses 'Estar'

Just like when a person is busy, a place being 'taken' is a temporary state. So you continue to use 'estar'. For example, 'El baño está ocupado' (The bathroom is occupied).

Matching the Thing

The word ending must change to match the thing it describes. For example, 'el asiento está ocupado' (masculine), but 'la mesa está ocupada' (feminine).

Using 'Ocupado' for a Full Container

Mistake: “La botella está ocupada con agua.”

Correction: La botella está llena de agua. Use 'ocupado' for a space that is in use by someone or something, and 'lleno' for a container that is full.

tomado

toh-MAH-doh/toˈmaðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Choose 'tomado' when a seat, a table, or a specific position is already taken by someone.
A simple diner booth with a jacket draped over the seat and a coffee cup on the table, indicating the seat is currently occupied.

Examples

Lo siento, este asiento está tomado.

Sorry, this seat is taken/occupied.

¿Esa silla está tomada?

Is that chair taken/occupied?

La fortaleza fue tomada después de tres días de asedio.

The fortress was captured after three days of siege.

Tengo la nariz tomada por la alergia.

My nose is blocked/congested because of the allergy.

Agreement is Key

When used as an adjective, 'tomado' MUST match the thing it describes in both gender and number: 'la mesa tomada' (f. singular) or 'los asientos tomados' (m. plural).

Used with 'Estar'

This adjective usually pairs with the verb 'estar' (to be) to describe the current state of something: 'El ascensor está tomado' (The elevator is busy/occupied).

Forgetting Feminine Form

Mistake: “La mesa está *tomado*.”

Correction: La mesa está *tomada*. (The noun 'mesa' is feminine, so the adjective must end in 'a'.)

llenos

YEH-nohs (or LLEH-nohs)/ˈʎe.nos/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'llenos' (plural form of 'lleno') to describe places like shelves, rooms, or containers that are full of things.
A transparent glass jar completely filled to the brim with bright red strawberries, indicating that the container is full.

Examples

Los armarios estaban llenos de ropa vieja.

The closets were full of old clothes.

Los estantes estaban llenos de libros viejos.

The shelves were full of old books.

Todos los autobuses están llenos a esta hora de la mañana.

All the buses are crowded at this time of the morning.

Nuestros días han estado llenos de reuniones importantes.

Our days have been full of important meetings.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'llenos' ends in -os, it describes multiple masculine things. Remember to use 'llenas' for multiple feminine things (e.g., 'las cajas llenas').

Using 'Estar'

We usually use the verb 'estar' (to be) with 'llenos' because it describes a temporary state or condition: 'Los vasos están llenos' (The glasses are full).

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Los vasos son llenos.”

Correction: Los vasos están llenos. Being full is a state that can change, so we use 'estar', not 'ser'.

Ocupado vs. Tomado for Seats

Learners often confuse 'ocupado' and 'tomado' when talking about seats. While 'ocupado' can sometimes work, 'tomado' is more specific and common for a seat being taken by a person. Use 'ocupado' for things like a bathroom stall, not usually for a chair someone is sitting in.

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