Ocupado can describe a person who is busy or a place that is being used.

The idea

With estar, the adjective agrees: la mesa está ocupada; los asientos están ocupados.

Examples

  • La mesa está ocupada; busquemos otra.The table is occupied; let us look for another one.
  • Estoy ocupado esta tarde y no puedo salir.I am busy this afternoon and cannot go out.
  • Marta está ocupada preparando la cena.Marta is busy preparing dinner.
  • Los asientos junto a la ventana están ocupados.The seats by the window are occupied.
  • ¿Está ocupado este baño?Is this bathroom occupied?
  • Estamos ocupadas hasta las seis, dicen Ana y Luz.We are busy until six, say Ana and Luz.

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Watch out

For a place, ocupado contrasts with libre, meaning available or free.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the form agreeing with mesa: La mesa está ___. (ocupada / ocupado)

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    ocupada

    Ocupada agrees with the feminine singular noun mesa.

  2. Choose the form agreeing with asientos: Los asientos están ___. (ocupados / ocupadas)

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    ocupados

    Ocupados agrees with the masculine plural noun asientos.

  3. Choose the word for a bathroom someone is using: Alguien está usando el baño; el baño está ___. (ocupado / libre)

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    ocupado

    Ocupado means someone is using the bathroom; libre means available.

Use it today

Say when you are busy and ask whether a bathroom is occupied.