Inklingo

How to Say "taken" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “taken” is “tomado” — use this when 'taken' refers to an action completed in the past, often used with 'haber' to form perfect tenses, or when referring to a secured or occupied item like a seat..

English → Spanish

tomado

toh-MAH-doh/toˈmaðo/

Verb (Past Participle)A1General
Use this when 'taken' refers to an action completed in the past, often used with 'haber' to form perfect tenses, or when referring to a secured or occupied item like a seat.
A close-up view of a hand lifting a bright red apple off a simple wooden table, illustrating the action of taking something.

Examples

Hemos tomado muchas fotos en el viaje.

We have taken many photos on the trip.

Ella había tomado la decisión de irse.

She had taken the decision to leave.

¿Ya has tomado el café?

Have you drunk the coffee yet?

¿Esa silla está tomada?

Is that chair taken/occupied?

Partnering with 'Haber'

Use 'tomado' with a form of the verb 'haber' (like 'he', 'has', 'ha') to talk about actions completed in the past, similar to using 'have' or 'had' in English.

Always Unchanging

When 'tomado' teams up with 'haber', it never changes its ending, regardless of who did the action or how many people there are. (e.g., 'Hemos tomado', 'Ella ha tomado').

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).

Misusing 'Ser' or 'Estar'

Mistake: “Hemos *está* tomado la foto.”

Correction: Hemos *tomado* la foto. (The helping verb must be 'haber' for completed actions.)

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'.)

llevado

/yeh-VAH-doh//ʎeˈβa.ðo/

Verb FormA1General
Use this when 'taken' means something has been removed from a place or conveyed somewhere else by someone.
A small, red suitcase being carried by a person walking down a path.

Examples

Ella ya se ha llevado todos los libros.

She has already taken all the books.

El coche fue llevado al taller esta mañana.

The car was taken to the workshop this morning.

Making Finished Actions

This form (llevado/a) combines with the verb haber ('to have') to describe actions that have already finished: 'Hemos llevado' (We have carried).

Changing the Ending

When used with ser or estar (to describe a state, like in the passive voice), the ending must match the gender and number of the person or thing being described: 'La carta fue llevada' (The letter was taken).

Not Changing the Ending with 'Estar'

Mistake: “La gente está llevado por la emoción.”

Correction: La gente está llevad**a** por la emoción. (The word must match 'la gente' which is feminine singular here.)

ocupado

/oh-koo-PAH-doh//okuˈpaðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use this when 'taken' refers to a space that is not available, such as a seat, a parking spot, or a bathroom stall.
A cozy wooden chair occupied by a sleeping orange tabby cat curled up on the cushion.

Examples

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.

cogido

coh-HEE-doh/koˈxi.ðo/

Past ParticipleA2General
Use this when 'taken' means caught or apprehended, often in a context of being captured by authorities or by surprise.
A small, wide-eyed, bright orange fish dangling from a simple fishing hook held by an unseen hand, illustrating the moment of capture.

Examples

El ladrón fue cogido por la policía.

The thief was caught by the police.

Hemos cogido todas las manzanas del árbol.

We have grabbed all the apples from the tree.

Forming Perfect Tenses

Use 'cogido' with a form of the verb 'haber' (to have) to describe actions completed in the past, like 'He cogido' (I have caught).

Agreement as an Adjective

When used to describe a person or thing, 'cogido' must match its gender and number: 'la cosa cogida' (the thing caught), 'los libros cogidos' (the books taken).

Confusing Past Participles

Mistake: “Using 'cogiendo' (the -ing form) instead of 'cogido' for perfect tenses.”

Correction: Always use the '-ido' form ('cogido') with 'haber' for completed actions.

Tomado vs. Ocupado for Seats

Learners often confuse 'tomado' and 'ocupado' when referring to a taken seat. While 'ocupado' is more common for indicating a seat is currently unavailable, 'tomado' can also be used, especially in questions like 'Is this seat taken?' ('¿Está tomada esta silla?').

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.