atascado
/atasˈkado/
The Spanish word for clogged is atascado.
atascado is used to describe something that is having an obstructed flow. When you want to say that something is clogged with a specific substance, use the preposition de after the word, such as atascado de.
Meaning: having an obstructed flow (adj)
Which one should you use?
While atascado often implies a physical jam or blockage, such as in a pipe or a mechanism, the term obstruido is used for general obstructions or in medical contexts like a blocked artery.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term atorado/a is often used to mean clogged.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use atascada for feminine nouns, atascados for masculine or mixed plural nouns and atascadas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/atasˈkado/
Did you know?
- The noun atasco is the most common way to describe a traffic jam in Spain, literally meaning a 'clogging' of the road.
- In Mexico, the word atorado is used for both a 'clogged' pipe and a 'stuck' zipper or key.
- Using atascado to describe a person's work progress can specifically imply they are being inefficient or slow.
Examples in context
- El desaguadero está atascado de nuevo.The drain is clogged again.This sentence is useful for describing a drain that is atascado.Tatoeba #4995209 by rafaeld4, translation #4994801 by Zurich899
- La tubería está obstruida y necesita ser reparada.The pipe is clogged and needs to be repaired.
- La carretera está bloqueada debido a un accidente.The road is clogged due to an accident.
- El desagüe del lavabo está taponado con cabello.The sink drain is clogged with hair.
- La cañería del baño está tapada con papel higiénico.The bathroom pipe is clogged with toilet paper.
- El fregadero está atascado.The kitchen sink is clogged.
- El conducto está atascado con hojas.The vent is clogged with leaves.
Example conversation
María and Javier are in the kitchen dealing with a plumbing issue.
- MaríaJavier, el desagüe está atascado.Javier, the drain is clogged.
- Javier¿Está atascado por mucha comida?Is it clogged because of too much food?
- MaríaSí, creo que es eso.Yes, I think that is it.
- JavierVoy a intentar arreglarlo ahora.I am going to try to fix it now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry atascado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
