ocupado
masculine, everyday
Busy in Mexican Spanish is ocupado, or ocupada for a woman. Mexicans often say ando ocupado or estoy ocupado to say they have a lot going on.
Meaning: having a lot to do (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| ocupado | masculine, everyday |
| ocupada | feminine |
| ando ocupado | Mexican turn of phrase |
Use estoy ocupado when you cannot talk. Ando muy ocupada sounds natural in Mexico and suggests a busy period. A phone line that is in use is ocupado.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes for gender and number: ocupado, ocupada, ocupados and ocupadas. Use estar or andar, not ser.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not say soy ocupado. With ser the phrase would not mean "I am busy".
Did you know?
- The Mexican word ahorita means "right now" or "in a little while", depending on the situation.
Examples in context
- Ahorita estoy muy ocupada.I am very busy right now.
- Ando ocupado con el trabajo.I am busy with work.
- La línea está ocupada.The line is busy.
Example conversation
Colleagues Fabiola and Raúl talk in the hallway of an office.
- FabiolaRaúl, ¿tienes un minuto?Raúl, do you have a minute?
- RaúlAhorita ando muy ocupado.I am very busy right now.
- FabiolaNo te preocupes, luego hablamos.Do not worry, we will talk later.
