Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| atascado | /atasˈkado/ |
| atrapado | /atɾaˈpado/ |
| pegado | /peˈɡado/ |
The word used for "stuck" changes based on why something cannot move. You use atascado for things that are physically jammed or clogged, like a key in a lock or a pipe. You use atrapado when the sense of being stuck implies being trapped or captured, such as being unable to escape a location or a difficult situation. Use pegado when something is stuck to a surface because of an adhesive or a sticky substance.
Which one should you use?
atascado is used for things that are jammed or clogged, while atrapado is used when one is trapped or captured. pegado is specifically for when something is stuck to a surface due to being glued or adhered.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the informal term atorado/a is commonly used to mean stuck. In Argentina, the word trabado/a is used to say stuck.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the form must agree with the noun it describes. For example, use atascada for a feminine singular noun and atascados for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/atasˈkado/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the word atascado can describe a person who is slow-witted or clumsy, rather than just someone who is physically jammed.
- The English word 'pitch' and the Spanish word pegado share a distant linguistic ancestor related to the act of smearing or coating surfaces.
- If you are 'stuck' to a chair because you are lazy or reluctant to move, a speaker might use pegado metaphorically to describe your inertia.
Examples in context
- Estoy atrapado en un lío.I'm stuck in a rut.This sentence shows how to use atrapado to describe being stuck in a figurative rut.Tatoeba #5464294 by albrusgher, translation #2548672 by CK
- Estoy atrapado en Boston.I'm stuck in Boston.This sentence uses atrapado to describe being stuck in a specific location.Tatoeba #5752605 by arh, translation #5186099 by CK
- Estoy atrapado en un atasco.I'm stuck in a traffic jam.This sentence uses atrapado to describe being stuck in a traffic jam, which is called un atasco.Tatoeba #1744941 by Shishir, translation #1737340 by Spamster
- Me encuentro atascado en el tráfico desde hace una hora.I have been stuck in traffic for an hour.
- Estoy atrapada en una reunión interminable.I am stuck in an endless meeting.
- El coche quedó inmovilizado en el barro después de la tormenta.The car was stuck in the mud after the storm.
- No puedo recordar cómo se pronuncia esa palabra, me quedo trabado.I can't remember how to pronounce that word, I get stuck.
- El botón del elevador se ha encasquillado, por eso estamos atrapados en el piso 21.The elevator button got stuck, that's why we are trapped on the 21st floor.
- Estoy atorado en el tráfico, no sé cómo salir de aquí.I am stuck in traffic, I don't know how to get out of here.
- Me quedé trabado en una situación incómoda y no sabía qué decir.I got stuck in an awkward situation and didn't know what to say.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier is trying to fix a broken printer in the office.
- Lucía¿Necesitas ayuda con la impresora, Javier?Do you need help with the printer, Javier?
- JavierSí, un folio se ha quedado atascado.Yes, a sheet of paper is stuck.
- LucíaDéjame intentar sacarlo yo.Let me try to get it out.
- JavierGracias, Lucía, es muy difícil.Thanks, Lucía, it is very difficult.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stuck” translations and entries atascado, atrapado, pegado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atascado, pegado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
