trabado
/tɾaˈbado/
The English phrase "tongue-tied" can be translated into Spanish as trabado.
When used to describe a person, trabado means being unable to express oneself clearly or fluently. While it can also describe physical objects that are stuck, in the context of a human, it specifically refers to the sensation of one's speech being blocked.
Meaning: unable to express oneself clearly or fluently (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word trabado literally means stuck, jammed or caught.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person or group being described. Use trabada for a female subject and trabados for a group of men or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾaˈbado/
Did you know?
- While trabado describes a mental block, the term trabalenguas refers to a tongue-twister. It literally translates to 'tongue-tangler' and describes the intentional act of getting one's speech stuck.
- The word trabado is the past participle of the verb trabar, which comes from the Latin word 'trabare' meaning to fasten or bind with a beam.
- While trabado means stuck, if you want to say you are speechless from shock rather than a lack of fluency, you would likely use quedarse boquiabierto, which literally means 'to be left wide-mouthed'.
Examples in context
- Durante la presentación en el trabajo, me quedé sin palabras debido a la presión.During the presentation at work, I became tongue-tied due to the pressure.
- Cada vez que hablo en público, se me traba la lengua y me siento atascado.Every time I speak in public, my tongue gets tied, and I feel stuck.
- Me quedé trabado al hablar con ella.I got tongue-tied when speaking with her.
- Me siento trabado cuando hablo en público.I feel tongue-tied when I speak in public.
- Él se quedó trabado durante la entrevista.He became tongue-tied during the interview.
- Estoy trabado por los nervios de la cita.I am tongue-tied because of the nerves from the date.
Example conversation
Sofia and Alejandro are discussing his performance in a speech competition.
- Sofía¿Por qué te veías tan nervioso?Why did you look so nervous?
- AlejandroEs que me quedé trabado al principio.It is just that I was tongue-tied at the beginning.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, lo hiciste muy bien.Don't worry, you did very well.
- AlejandroGracias, Sofía, lo aprecio mucho.Thanks, Sofia, I really appreciate it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry trabado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trabado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
