occupato
/ok.kuˈpa.to/masculine
The English word 'busy' can be translated into Italian as occupato. Wiktionary also lists impegnato and busy.
Meaning: engaged or preoccupied (adj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| occupato | /ok.kuˈpa.to/ | masculine |
| impegnato | /im.peɲˈɲa.to/ | |
| busy | /ˈbi.zi/ |
The term occupato is used to describe someone who is engaged or preoccupied. It is also used to indicate that a physical space, such as a seat, a room or a telephone line, is currently in use or taken.
Which one should you use?
While occupato can mean a space is occupied (like a toilet or a seat), impegnato is used when a person is busy with a specific commitment or task.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both occupato and impegnato must agree in gender with the person or object being described. Use the feminine forms occupata or impegnata when referring to a woman or a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ok.kuˈpa.to/ (4 syllables, stress on the 3rd syllable)
Did you know?
- In a romantic context, saying someone is impegnato does not mean they are busy with work, but that they are in a committed relationship.
- When a person is very busy, you can say they are di corsa, which literally translates to 'of run' or 'on the run'.
- The word occupato shares a root with the English word 'occupy', both stemming from the Latin 'occupare' meaning to seize or take possession of.
Examples in context
- So che è occupato.I know that he's busy.This sentence is useful for expressing awareness of someone's busy status using occupato.Tatoeba #9723379 by Guybrush88, translation #9723348 by ariarin
- È occupato da ieri?Have you been busy since yesterday?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's busy status using occupato.Tatoeba #2901503 by Guybrush88, translation #69397 by CK
- Tom non è occupato.Tom isn't busy.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is not busy using occupato.Tatoeba #4247222 by Guybrush88, translation #2046664 by CK
- Scusate, sono occupato con una riunione importante.Sorry, I am busy with an important meeting.
- Non posso rispondere ora, sono impegnato con un progetto.I can't answer right now, I am busy with a project.
- Sono occupatissimo oggi, non ho nemmeno un attimo libero.I am extremely busy today, I don't even have a free moment.
- Non posso uscire stasera, sono pieno di impegni.I can't go out tonight, I am full of commitments.
- 1861 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo is calling Chiara and she is talking to someone else.
- LorenzoPronto, Chiara? Sei occupata?Hello, Chiara? Are you busy?
- ChiaraSì, scusa, sono molto occupata adesso.Yes, sorry, I am very busy right now.
- LorenzoIl tuo papà è occupato anche lui?Is your dad busy too?
- ChiaraNo, lui non è occupato, chiama pure.No, he is not busy, go ahead and call.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “busy” translations and entries occupato, impegnato, busy, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries busy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
