ajetreado
/axetɾeˈado/
The English word 'hectic' can be translated into Spanish as ajetreado. Wiktionary also lists febril.
Meaning: very busy with activity and confusion (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| ajetreado | /axetɾeˈado/ |
| febril | /feˈbɾil/ |
The adjective is used to describe a situation or pace that is very busy with activity and confusion. You will often see it used in the phrase ritmo ajetreado to express having a 'hectic pace' or a very busy way of life.
Which one should you use?
While ajetreado describes a busy schedule or pace, febril is used to describe a hectic atmosphere characterized by intense, almost feverish activity or agitation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ajetreado must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to ajetreada for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/axetɾeˈado/
Did you know?
- If you are having a 'hectic' day in a very informal way, you might say you are a mil, which literally translates to 'at a thousand'.
- If a task is 'hectic' because it is messy or disorganized, a Spaniard might use the word liado colloquially, which literally means 'tied up'.
- The word ajetreado comes from ajetrear, which originally meant to shake or toss something around violently. Using it to describe a 'hectic' day implies that the day has shaken you up.
Examples in context
- El lunes fue tan ajetreado.Monday was so hectic.This sentence shows how to use ajetreado to describe a day.Tatoeba #5769371 by arh, translation #4494743 by CK
- La ciudad está agitada durante la hora picoThe city is hectic during rush hour
- La última semana antes de Navidad fue caótica en las tiendasThe last week before Christmas was hectic in the stores
- La jornada laboral fue muy intensa debido a múltiples reunionesThe workday was very hectic due to multiple meetings
- La vida en la ciudad va a mil por horaLife in the city is hectic
- Tu día estuvo muy ajetreado.Your day was very hectic.
- Tengo un horario ajetreado esta semana.I have a hectic schedule this week.
Example conversation
Two friends are meeting for coffee after work.
- MateoHola, Lucía. ¿Cómo estuvo tu día?Hi, Lucía. How was your day?
- LucíaFue un día muy ajetreado, Mateo.It was a very hectic day, Mateo.
- MateoLo siento. ¿Quieres descansar un poco?I'm sorry. Do you want to rest a bit?
- LucíaSí, necesito un descanso ahora mismo.Yes, I need a break right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hectic” translations and entries ajetreado, febril, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ajetreado, febril, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
