Inklingo

How to Say "seized" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “seized” is “agarró” — use 'agarró' (from agarrar) when referring to the quick, physical act of grabbing or taking hold of something with your hands..

agarróA2

Use 'agarró' (from agarrar) when referring to the quick, physical act of grabbing or taking hold of something with your hands.

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tomada🔊A2

Use 'tomada' when a place, like a seat or a spot, has already been occupied or claimed by someone else.

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tomó🔊B1

Use 'tomó' (from tomar) when someone, like a leader, seizes or takes control of power, a territory, or a position.

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capturado🔊B1

Use 'capturado' when referring to the act of catching or apprehending a person, or when data or images have been captured.

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secuestrado🔊B1

Use 'secuestrado' specifically when assets, goods, or even vehicles like planes are seized through legal action or hijacking.

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apropiado🔊C1

Use 'apropiado' when referring to something that has been taken, especially in a formal or legal context, implying improper or unauthorized taking.

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English → Spanish

agarró

verbA2informal
Use 'agarró' (from agarrar) when referring to the quick, physical act of grabbing or taking hold of something with your hands.

Examples

Ella agarró el paraguas justo antes de que cayera al suelo.

She grabbed the umbrella just before it fell to the ground.

tomada

/toh-MAH-dah//toˈmaða/

adjectiveA2
Use 'tomada' when a place, like a seat or a spot, has already been occupied or claimed by someone else.
A wooden chair with a red coat draped over it to show it is occupied.

Examples

Lo siento, esta silla ya está tomada.

I'm sorry, this seat is already taken.

La ciudad fue tomada por el ejército.

The city was taken by the army.

Using 'Tomada' with Descriptions

Use this word when the thing you are describing is feminine (ending in -a). If you are describing something masculine, use 'tomado'.

Taken a photo?

Mistake: “Using 'tomada' for a photo that was taken.”

Correction: In Spanish, we usually use 'sacada' for photos: 'una foto sacada' (a photo taken).

tomó

verbB1
Use 'tomó' (from tomar) when someone, like a leader, seizes or takes control of power, a territory, or a position.

Examples

El dictador tomó el poder hace veinte años.

The dictator seized power twenty years ago.

capturado

kahp-too-RAH-doh/kap.tuˈɾa.ðo/

adjectiveB1
Use 'capturado' when referring to the act of catching or apprehending a person, or when data or images have been captured.
A brightly colored butterfly resting inside a closed, clear glass jar, symbolizing being captured or seized.

Examples

El criminal fue capturado anoche por la policía.

The criminal was captured last night by the police.

La imagen capturada era de muy baja resolución.

The captured image was very low resolution.

Los documentos capturados contenían información sensible.

The seized documents contained sensitive information.

Gender and Number Match

As an adjective, 'capturado' must always match the noun it describes. If the noun is feminine (like 'la ladrona'), it becomes 'capturada'. If it's plural (like 'los peces'), it becomes 'capturados'.

secuestrado

seh-kwehs-TRAH-doh/se.kwesˈtɾa.ðo/

adjectiveB1formal
Use 'secuestrado' specifically when assets, goods, or even vehicles like planes are seized through legal action or hijacking.
A small, simplified figure with a distressed expression is being held tightly and lifted away by a large, brown, gloved hand.

Examples

El avión secuestrado aterrizó en el aeropuerto de emergencia.

The hijacked plane landed at the emergency airport.

Las joyas secuestradas por la policía fueron devueltas al dueño.

The jewels seized by the police were returned to the owner.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'secuestrado' must match the noun it describes in number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine). For a female hostage, you would say 'secuestrada'.

apropiado

ah-proh-pee-AH-doh/a.pɾoˈpja.ðo/

adjectiveC1formal
Use 'apropiado' when referring to something that has been taken, especially in a formal or legal context, implying improper or unauthorized taking.
A large hand firmly grasps and holds a single, shiny golden key, symbolizing the action of taking possession or appropriation.

Examples

El dinero apropiado fue devuelto a la empresa.

The appropriated money was returned to the company.

Los terrenos apropiados por el gobierno serán usados para construir escuelas.

The lands seized by the government will be used to build schools.

Past Participle Use

In this meaning, 'apropiado' is the past form of the verb 'apropiar.' It describes something that had the action of 'taking' done to it.

Physical vs. Formal Seizure

Learners often confuse words like 'agarró' (physical grab) with 'apropiado' or 'secuestrado' (legal or improper taking). Remember that 'agarró' implies a direct, manual action, while the others refer to a more abstract or official seizure of property or rights.

Related Translations

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