je suis occupé
The English phrase "I am busy" is translated into French as je suis occupé.
The phrase je suis occupé is used to indicate that you have a lot of work or many things to do.
Which one should you use?
While je suis occupé refers specifically to being busy with tasks or work, the expression je suis pris is a common idiomatic way to say that your time is already committed or "taken".
How does it change in a sentence?
If the person speaking is female, the adjective must take an extra e at the end: je suis occupée.
Did you know?
- To say you are extremely busy, the French often use the phrase avoir du pain sur la planche, which literally means 'to have bread on the board'.
- While je suis occupé refers to being busy, the word occupé is also the standard term used on bathroom doors to indicate that the stall is in use.
- In very informal settings, a French speaker might say je suis débordé, which literally means 'I am overflowing' like a river during a flood.
Examples in context
- Je suis occupé aujourd’hui.I am busy today.This sentence is useful for stating that you are busy on a specific day using je suis occupé.Tatoeba #520830 by zmoo, translation #242977 by sacredceltic
- Je suis occupé pour le moment.I am busy now.This sentence is useful for stating that you are busy at the current moment using je suis occupé.Tatoeba #355650 by Barbiche0, translation #1880037 by Asma
- Je ne peux pas vous aider car je suis occupé.I can't help you because I am busy.This sentence is useful for explaining that you cannot help someone because you are busy using je suis occupé.Tatoeba #127912 by sacredceltic, translation #261724 by CK
- Je suis désolé(e), mais je suis occupé(e) en ce moment.I'm sorry, but I am busy at the moment.
- Malheureusement, je ne pourrai pas vous aider car je suis très pris(e).Unfortunately, I won't be able to help you as I am very busy.
- Désolé(e), je ne peux pas sortir ce soir, je suis débordé(e) de travail.Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I am swamped with work.
- Désolé(e), je n'ai pas le temps de m'occuper de ça en ce moment.Sorry, I don't have time to deal with that right now.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo asks Léa if she wants to go for a walk.
- LéaHugo, tu veux aller au parc ?Hugo, do you want to go to the park?
- HugoDésolé Léa, je suis occupé avec mon travail.Sorry Léa, I am busy with my work.
- LéaC'est dommage, tu es très occupé en ce moment ?That's a shame, are you very busy right now?
- HugoOui, j'ai beaucoup de choses à faire.Yes, I have a lot of things to do.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
