occupatissimo
The English phrase "very busy" can be translated into Italian as occupatissimo.
This phrase is used to describe someone who has a great deal to do or is completely unavailable. You can also use the alternative phrase molto occupato to express the same meaning, or the expression molto impegnato (for males) or molto impegnata (for females).
What does it mean word for word?
The word occupatissimo is formed by the adjective occupato (busy) and the suffix -issimo, which functions as the superlative marker meaning "very" or "extremely".
Which one should you use?
While occupatissimo is a single-word superlative, you can also use the common alternative molto occupato, which uses the adverb molto (very) with the standard adjective.
How does it change in a sentence?
The superlative form changes its ending to match the gender and number of the subject: use occupatissimo for a single male, occupatissima for a single female, occupatissimi for a group of men or a mixed group and occupatissime for a group of women. In informal situations, you might also say non ho un attimo libero to mean "I don't have a free moment".
Did you know?
- While occupatissimo means busy, the root word occupare can also mean to seize or take over a building, as seen during the student protests of 1968.
- When someone is 'very busy' and has no time to talk, an Italian might say they are di corsa, which literally translates to 'of a run'.
- While occupato means 'busy' in a scheduling sense, it is also the standard word for a 'occupied' or 'taken' toilet, so saying Sono occupato in certain contexts could lead to a brief, awkward misunderstanding.
Examples in context
- Sono molto impegnata con il lavoro ultimamente.I'm very busy with work lately.
- Mi dispiace, Alessandro, ma sono folle di impegni.I'm sorry, Alessandro, but I'm swamped with commitments.
- Mi dispiace, Martina, ma non ho un attimo libero oggi.I'm sorry, Martina, but I don't have a free moment today.
- Mi spiace, ma sono occupatissimo domani.I'm sorry, but I'm extremely busy tomorrow.
- Oggi sono occupatissimo al lavoro.I am very busy at work today.
- Il direttore è occupatissimo in questo momento.The director is very busy right now.
- Sei occupatissimo, vero?You are very busy, aren't you?
Example conversation
Giulia calls Matteo to see if he can go out.
- GiuliaCiao Matteo, hai tempo per un caffè?Hi Matteo, do you have time for a coffee?
- MatteoMi dispiace, Giulia, sono occupatissimo oggi.I'm sorry, Giulia, I am very busy today.
- GiuliaNessun problema, ci sentiamo domani.No problem, we'll talk tomorrow.
- MatteoSì, a domani!Yes, see you tomorrow!
