Inklingo

How to Say "spaced out" in Spanish

English → Spanish

volado

/bo-LAH-do//boˈlaðo/

adjectiveB2informal
Use this when you are feeling distracted or forgetful yourself, often due to lack of sleep or being overwhelmed, implying a temporary state.
A person sitting on a park bench looking up at the clouds with a dreamy, distracted expression.

Examples

Perdona, estoy un poco volado hoy; no dormí bien.

Sorry, I'm a bit spaced out today; I didn't sleep well.

Ese chico es muy volado, se cree el mejor del mundo.

That guy is very conceited; he thinks he's the best in the world.

Matching the Person

Since this is a describing word, it changes to 'volada' for women and 'volados/as' for groups.

colgado

/kol-GAH-doh//kolˈɡaðo/

adjectiveC1informal
This term is used primarily in Spain to describe someone who is absent-minded or distracted, sometimes implying they are 'out of it' or not paying attention to their surroundings.
A cheerful figure tightly embracing an oversized ball of brightly colored purple yarn, showing intense focus and obsession.

Examples

El profesor me preguntó algo, pero estaba tan colgado que no escuché.

The teacher asked me something, but I was so spaced out that I didn't hear.

Mi hermana está colgada del gimnasio, va cinco veces a la semana.

My sister is hooked on the gym; she goes five times a week.

(Spain) Él siempre está colgado; nunca escucha lo que le dices.

(Spain) He is always spaced out; he never listens to what you tell him.

(Spain) Parece que Juan está colgado de María.

(Spain) It looks like Juan is crazy about María (in love with her).

Required Preposition

When 'colgado' means 'hooked' or 'in love,' it must be followed by the preposition 'de' (of/on) to introduce the object of the obsession.

Confusing Regional Meaning

Mistake: “Using 'estar colgado' to mean 'hooked' in a region where it only means 'distracted' or 'in love'.”

Correction: In many parts of Latin America, 'enganchado' is the safer, more neutral term for 'hooked' on a hobby or show.

zombi

/som-bee//ˈsombi/

nounB1informal
Use this noun to describe someone who is acting or feeling like a zombie, meaning they are unresponsive, unfocused, and moving slowly, typically because they are exhausted.
A person sitting on a sofa with messy hair and heavy eyelids, looking very tired.

Examples

No dormí nada anoche; hoy soy un zombi.

I didn't sleep at all last night; today I'm a zombie.

Deja de mirar el teléfono como un zombi.

Stop looking at your phone like a zombie.

Describing People

Even though 'zombi' is a noun, you can use it after the verb 'to be' (ser/estar) to describe how someone looks or feels.

Volado vs. Colgado

Learners often confuse 'volado' and 'colgado' because both describe distraction. Remember 'volado' often implies a personal, temporary state of forgetfulness, while 'colgado' (especially in Spain) can describe someone generally absent-minded or out of touch with their environment.

Related Translations

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