atado
/aˈtado/
The English word tied is translated into Spanish as atado.
Meaning: that resulted in a tie (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, like Mexico, it is common to use the phrase empatar por to mean 'to tie by'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective atado must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to atada for feminine nouns. The adjective atado changes to atados when modifying masculine plural nouns. The adjective atado changes to atadas when modifying feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈtado/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word atado can describe a physical state, but if you wish to say a sports match is 'tied', you must use empatado. Using atado in a stadium would imply the athletes were physically bound with ropes.
- While atado refers to being bound, the word empate for a tie in sports comes from the verb empatar, which originally meant 'to make equal' or 'to level'.
- In some contexts, atado is used to describe a bundle of things, such as un atado de leña for a bundle of firewood, rather than just the act of being restrained.
Examples in context
- Cuando desperté, descubrí que había sido atado.When I woke up, I found I had been tied up.This sentence shows the use of atado to describe a person being physically restrained.Tatoeba #1590187 by teskmon, translation #954612 by CK
- Antes de partir me dijo que todo estaba bien atado y que nada se caería a la carretera.Before leaving, he told me that everything was properly tied up and nothing would fall onto the road.This sentence demonstrates using atado to describe things that are securely fastened.Tatoeba #10363415 by gianich73, translation #10363417 by DJ_Saidez
- He atado a Tom.I tied Tom up.This sentence shows the use of atado in a sentence where someone has tied another person up.Tatoeba #10979310 by DJ_Saidez, translation #8398870 by CK
- El marcador está empatado a dos goles.The score is tied at two goals.
- Hubo un empate y no hay ganador.There was a tie, and there is no winner.
- Los equipos están en la misma posición en la tabla de clasificación.The teams are tied in the standings.
- La competencia está muy reñida.The competition is very tight.
- Después de un largo debate, el resultado sigue siendo un empate.After a lengthy debate, the result is still a tie.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a soccer match they just watched.
- ElenaEl partido terminó atado.The game ended tied.
- JavierSí, fue un empate muy justo.Yes, it was a very fair tie.
- ElenaQuedó atado dos a dos.It stayed tied two to two.
- JavierFue un juego muy emocionante.It was a very exciting game.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry atado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
