Adjective · A2 · Spanish glossary
Ocupado: busy
ocupado
Pronunciation: oh-koo-PAH-doh (stress the capital letters)
Ocupado means “busy” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: busy; occupied
- How to say it: oh-koo-PAH-doh
- Forms: ocupado, ocupada, ocupados, ocupadas
- Level: Elementary (A2)
What “ocupado” means and how to use it
Ocupado means “busy” for people and “occupied” or “taken” for places, seats, and phone lines.
Forms of “ocupado”
| Describes | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | ocupado | ocupados |
| Feminine | ocupada | ocupadas |
Adjectives agree with the noun they describe.
Examples with audio
- Estoy ocupado esta tarde.I am busy this afternoon.
- Este asiento está ocupado.This seat is taken.
- El baño está ocupado.The restroom is occupied.
Usage tip
Use estar with ocupado: estoy ocupada. Do not confuse it with “ocupación” (occupation, job).
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “busy” in Spanish?
“busy” in Spanish is “ocupado.” It is pronounced oh-koo-PAH-doh, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “ocupado”?
Say oh-koo-PAH-doh. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
How does “ocupado” change for feminine and plural?
The forms are “ocupado,” “ocupada,” “ocupados,” and “ocupadas.”
Practice “ocupado” for free
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