atrapado
/atɾaˈpado/
The English word caught is translated into Spanish as atrapado.
atrapado is used to describe someone or something that has been captured or trapped in a place or situation from which one cannot escape.
Which one should you use?
While atrapado implies being trapped or captured, it is distinct from cogido, which is more commonly used for the physical act of grasping or catching an object.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form must agree in gender and number with the subject being caught. Use atrapada for a feminine subject, atrapados for a group of males or a mixed-gender group and atrapadas for a group consisting only of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/atɾaˈpado/
Did you know?
- To say someone was 'caught red-handed', Spanish uses the phrase con las manos en la masa, which literally means 'with the hands in the dough'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, if you are 'caught' or stuck in a difficult situation or a rut, you might say you are atascado, which literally refers to being stuck in mud or a physical jam.
- The word atrapado shares its root with the word trampa, meaning 'trap', making the connection between the state of being caught and the instrument used very explicit in Spanish.
Examples in context
- El impostor fue atrapado.The imposter was caught.This sentence shows how to use atrapado to describe an imposter being caught.Tatoeba #1264417 by marcelostockle, translation #243618 by CK
- Sabía que serías atrapado.I knew you'd be caught.This sentence uses atrapado to express the knowledge that someone would be caught.Tatoeba #4395763 by pchamorro, translation #3825838 by CK
- Tom podría haber atrapado algo.Tom might've caught something.This sentence uses atrapado to describe the possibility of someone catching something.Tatoeba #6685044 by UsuarioX, translation #3733737 by CK
- El ladrón fue atrapado por la policía.The thief was caught by the police.
- Me sentí atrapado en una conversación incómoda.I felt caught in an uncomfortable conversation.
- Me pillaron comiendo chocolate antes de la cena.They caught me eating chocolate before dinner.
- Elena pilló a Pedro copiando en el examen.Elena caught Pedro cheating on the exam.
- ¡No puedo creer que nos hayan pillado saliendo tarde del trabajo!I can't believe they caught us leaving work late!
- No lo puedo creer, me agarraron comiendo helado a escondidas.I can't believe it, they caught me eating ice cream secretly.
- Agarraron al ladrón en pleno acto.They caught the thief in the act.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking about a movie.
- AlejandroEl protagonista está atrapado en la isla.The protagonist is caught on the island.
- Lucía¿Cómo puede escapar de allí?How can he escape from there?
- AlejandroNo lo sé, se siente muy atrapado.I don't know, he feels very caught.
- LucíaEspero que encuentre una salida pronto.I hope he finds a way out soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry atrapado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
