Inklingo

How to Say "trapped" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “trapped” is “atrapado” — use this for when someone or something is physically stuck and unable to move or escape from a location or situation..

atrapado🔊A2

Use this for when someone or something is physically stuck and unable to move or escape from a location or situation.

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encerrada🔊A2

Use this when someone or something is locked inside a place and cannot get out, often due to a door being closed.

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pillado🔊B1

Use this when someone is caught doing something, either physically in the act or in a compromising situation.

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atrapó🔊A2

This is the past tense of 'atrapar' and means 'caught' or 'trapped' something, referring to the action of capturing.

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presos🔊B2

Use this for a more formal or literary sense of being stuck or confined within a difficult situation or circumstance.

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prisionero🔊B2

Use this in a figurative sense to describe someone who is held captive by emotions, circumstances, or a state of mind.

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English → Spanish

atrapado

ah-trah-PAH-doh/a.tɾaˈpa.ðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use this for when someone or something is physically stuck and unable to move or escape from a location or situation.
A tiny brown mouse is physically trapped inside a clear glass jar, looking frustrated and unable to escape.

Examples

El ratón estaba atrapado en la ratonera.

The mouse was trapped in the mousetrap.

El gato estaba atrapado en el árbol.

The cat was trapped in the tree.

Encontraron al ladrón atrapado por la policía.

They found the thief caught by the police.

La pelota quedó atrapada entre las rocas.

The ball got stuck between the rocks.

Agreement is Key

Like all Spanish describing words, 'atrapado' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'atrapado' (masculine singular), 'atrapada' (feminine singular), 'atrapados' (masculine plural), and 'atrapadas' (feminine plural).

encerrada

/en-seh-RAH-dah//enθeˈraða/

adjectiveA2general
Use this when someone or something is locked inside a place and cannot get out, often due to a door being closed.
A sad cat sitting on a rug inside a cozy room with a closed wooden door.

Examples

La niña se quedó encerrada en su habitación.

The girl was trapped (locked in) in her room.

La gata se quedó encerrada en el baño.

The cat got locked in the bathroom.

Me siento encerrada en esta oficina sin ventanas.

I feel trapped in this office without windows.

Matching Gender

Since this word ends in -a, it only describes feminine things. Use 'encerrada' for 'la niña' or 'la gata,' but use 'encerrado' for 'el niño' or 'el perro.'

Encerrada vs. Cerrada

Mistake: “La puerta está encerrada.”

Correction: La puerta está cerrada. 'Cerrada' means closed, while 'encerrada' means something is trapped inside.

pillado

pee-YAH-doh/piˈʎa.ðo/

adjectiveB1informal
Use this when someone is caught doing something, either physically in the act or in a compromising situation.
A small, surprised fox is caught halfway inside a simple woven basket trap in a forest clearing, illustrating being discovered or trapped.

Examples

Me pillaron copiando en el examen.

I was caught (trapped) copying on the exam.

El ladrón fue pillado justo cuando salía de la tienda.

The thief was caught just as he was leaving the store.

Estamos pillados en un atasco terrible en la autopista.

We are trapped/stuck in a terrible traffic jam on the highway.

Agreement is Key

Like many adjectives, 'pillado' must match the person or thing it describes: 'La niña está pillada' (The girl is caught).

Using the Wrong Verb

Mistake: “Fui pillado en el tráfico. (Implies the action of being caught is permanent.)”

Correction: Estoy pillado en el tráfico. (Use 'estar' to describe the temporary state of being stuck.)

atrapó

/ah-tra-POH//a.tɾaˈpo/

verbA2general
This is the past tense of 'atrapar' and means 'caught' or 'trapped' something, referring to the action of capturing.
A person wearing a baseball glove catching a high-flying baseball in a grassy field.

Examples

El gato atrapó un pájaro en el jardín.

The cat trapped (caught) a bird in the garden.

El jugador atrapó la pelota con una mano.

The player caught the ball with one hand.

La policía atrapó al ladrón en el callejón.

The police caught the thief in the alley.

Talking about the past

The ending '-ó' tells you that a single action happened and finished in the past. It specifically refers to 'he,' 'she,' or 'it' doing the action.

The Importance of the Accent

The accent mark on the 'ó' is vital. Without it, 'atrapo' means 'I catch' (present). With it, 'atrapó' means 'he/she caught' (past).

Mixing up the person

Mistake: “Using 'atrapó' to mean 'I caught'.”

Correction: For 'I caught', use 'atrapé'. 'Atrapó' is only for someone else (he, she, you formal).

presos

/PREH-sohs//ˈpɾesos/

adjectiveB2formal
Use this for a more formal or literary sense of being stuck or confined within a difficult situation or circumstance.
A high quality storybook illustration of a small animal stuck inside a wooden box with a heavy lid.

Examples

Los ciudadanos están presos por la burocracia.

The citizens are trapped by bureaucracy.

Estamos presos de un tráfico terrible.

We are trapped in terrible traffic.

Viven presos de sus propios miedos.

They live as prisoners of their own fears.

Using with 'Estar'

When 'presos' describes a state or condition (how someone is at the moment), always use it with the verb 'estar'.

prisionero

pree-syoh-NEH-roh/pɾisjoˈneɾo/

adjectiveB2formal
Use this in a figurative sense to describe someone who is held captive by emotions, circumstances, or a state of mind.
A close-up view showing a pair of wrists tightly bound together with a thick brown rope.

Examples

Se sentía prisionero de sus propias dudas.

He felt trapped by his own doubts.

El soldado prisionero se negó a dar información.

The captive soldier refused to give information.

Se sentía prisionero de sus deudas.

He felt trapped by his debts (literally: a prisoner of his debts).

La mente prisionera no podía pensar con claridad.

The imprisoned mind could not think clearly.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'prisionero' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. (e.g., 'soldado prisionero' but 'soldada prisionera').

Using the Adjective Invariably

Mistake: “Decir 'la mujer prisionero' (The prisoner woman).”

Correction: It must agree: 'la mujer prisionera'. Adjectives always follow the noun's rules!

Physical vs. Figurative 'Trapped'

Learners often confuse 'atrapado' (physically stuck) with figurative uses. For being stuck in a bad situation, consider 'presos' or 'prisionero' depending on formality. 'Encerrada' specifically means locked inside a place.

Related Translations

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