Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ocupado | /okuˈpado/ | |
| atareado | /ataɾeˈado/ | |
| ajetreado | /axetɾeˈado/ | |
| bisi | /bisi/ (from spelling rules) | US |
| hasta las manos | /asta las manos/ (from spelling rules) | |
| hasta las guachas | /asta las ɡwat͡ʃas/ (from spelling rules) | |
| hasta la huacha | /asta la wat͡ʃa/ (from spelling rules) | |
| hasta la guacha | /asta la ɡwat͡ʃa/ (from spelling rules) |
To express that someone is currently busy, you must use the verb estar (to be) rather than ser.
Which one should you use?
While ocupado is the general word for being busy, atareado specifically implies being burdened or overwhelmed with many tasks or chores. Additionally, ajetreado is typically used to describe a lifestyle, a schedule or a period of time, such as a hectic day, rather than a person's immediate state of being occupied.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain US Spanish-speaking communities, the term bisi is used as a Spanglish adaptation of the English word 'busy'. In Argentina, ocupado/a is used in both formal and informal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ocupado must agree in gender with the person or object being described, changing to ocupada for feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/okuˈpado/
Did you know?
- The word ajetreado comes from the verb ajetrear, which can also mean to shake something vigorously or to toss it around.
- In Spanish, the word ocupación refers to both a person's professional job and the act of occupying a territory during a war.
- While ocupado means 'busy' when referring to a person, it is also the standard word used for a 'busy' or occupied bathroom stall or telephone line.
Examples in context
- Tom no está ocupado.Tom isn't busy.This sentence is useful for saying that Tom isn't busy.Tatoeba #2979931 by hayastan, translation #2046664 by CK
- Hoy no estoy ocupado.I'm not busy today.This sentence is useful for saying that I'm not busy today.Tatoeba #514750 by Shishir, translation #257591 by CK
- Él ha estado ocupado.He has been busy.This sentence is useful for saying that he has been busy.Tatoeba #1287558 by marcelostockle, translation #290296 by CK
- Disculpe, estoy ocupado/a en una reuniónExcuse me, I am busy in a meeting
- No puedo atenderlo ahora, estoy con mucho trabajoI can't attend to you right now, I am really busy
- No puedo hablar ahora, estoy en plena faenaI can't talk right now, I am busy with this task
- Hoy no puedo salir, estoy muy liado/a con el trabajoI can't go out today, I am really busy with work
- No puedo ir contigo al cine, estoy full en la universidadI can't go to the movies with you, I am swamped with university work
- 491 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía calls Alejandro to ask if he wants to go to the cinema.
- LucíaHola Alejandro, ¿quieres ir al cine?Hello Alejandro, do you want to go to the cinema?
- AlejandroNo puedo, Lucía, estoy muy ocupado hoy.I cannot, Lucía, I am very busy today.
- LucíaQué pena, ¿estás muy ocupado con la oficina?That's a shame, are you very busy with the office?
- AlejandroSí, tengo mucho trabajo pendiente.Yes, I have a lot of work pending.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “busy” translations and entries ocupado, atareado, ajetreado, bisi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ajetreado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
