Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'Sono occupato' to tell someone you have work or tasks to finish right now.
- Means: I am busy (literally: I am occupied).
- Used in: Work, school, or when someone interrupts your focus.
- Don't confuse: Change the ending to 'occupata' if you are female.
あなたのレベルに合った解説：
意味
Having too much to do.
文化的背景
In Italian offices, being 'occupato' is often a collective state before lunch. However, the 'pausa caffè' is sacred, and even a busy person will often find 5 minutes for an espresso. In the South, saying you are 'occupato' might lead to a follow-up question about what exactly you are doing. It's less of a 'hard wall' than in Northern Europe. It is considered slightly rude to just say 'Sono occupato'. It is almost always preceded by 'Mi dispiace' (I'm sorry) or 'Scusa' (Excuse me). On WhatsApp, many Italians use the 'Occupato' status, but they will often still reply to messages, as social connection often trumps work tasks.
Gender Agreement
Always remember: if you are a woman, it's 'occupata'. This is the #1 mistake for beginners!
Avoid Rudeness
Never just say 'Sono occupato' and walk away. Add a 'Scusa' or 'Mi dispiace' to stay polite.
Gender Agreement
Always remember: if you are a woman, it's 'occupata'. This is the #1 mistake for beginners!
Avoid Rudeness
Never just say 'Sono occupato' and walk away. Add a 'Scusa' or 'Mi dispiace' to stay polite.
The Bathroom Rule
If you are in a public restroom and someone knocks, just shout 'Occupato!'. It's the universal signal.
The 'Impegnato' Alternative
In professional emails, use 'impegnato' instead of 'occupato' to sound more sophisticated.
自分をテスト
Fill in the correct form of 'occupato' based on the subject.
Giulia non può venire perché è molto ______.
Giulia is female and singular, so the adjective must end in 'a'.
Which verb is used with 'occupato'?
Io ______ occupato oggi.
In Italian, we use the verb 'essere' (to be) to say we are busy.
Match the situation to the correct use of 'occupato'.
You knock on a bathroom door and someone is inside.
When someone knocks on a door, you simply shout 'Occupato!'
Complete the dialogue.
A: Sei libero stasera? B: No, mi dispiace, ______.
The person says 'No, mi dispiace' (No, I'm sorry), so they must be busy.
🎉 スコア： /4
ビジュアル学習ツール
Occupato vs Impegnato
練習問題バンク
5 問題Giulia non può venire perché è molto ______.
Giulia is female and singular, so the adjective must end in 'a'.
Io ______ occupato oggi.
In Italian, we use the verb 'essere' (to be) to say we are busy.
You knock on a bathroom door and someone is inside.
When someone knocks on a door, you simply shout 'Occupato!'
A: Sei libero stasera? B: No, mi dispiace, ______.
The person says 'No, mi dispiace' (No, I'm sorry), so they must be busy.
🎉 スコア： /5
よくある質問
12 問No, in standard Italian you must use 'Sono occupato'. 'Stare' is used for health or location, not for this state.
No, it can be for any task: cleaning, studying, or even just being on the phone.
You can say 'Sono molto occupato' or 'Sono occupatissimo'.
Use 'Siamo occupati' (mixed/men) or 'Siamo occupate' (women only).
No, use 'trafficata' for a street with lots of traffic.
Yes, but 'impegnato' sounds slightly more professional.
Use 'Sono occupato a...' followed by the verb, e.g., 'Sono occupato a studiare'.
Yes, it can also mean a territory is occupied by an army, but context makes it clear.
The opposite is 'libero' (free).
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, 'Il telefono è occupato' means the line is busy.
Hold the 'k' sound for a split second longer than a single 'c'.
関連フレーズ
avere da fare
synonymto have things to do
essere impegnato
similarto be engaged/busy
essere libero
contrastto be free
essere preso
specialized formto be caught up in something
どこで使う？
At the Office
Collega: Hai un minuto per parlare del progetto?
Tu: Scusa, in questo momento sono molto occupato. Possiamo fare dopo?
On the Phone
Mamma: Ciao caro, come stai?
Tu: Ciao mamma! Senti, sono occupata a fare la spesa, ti chiamo tra poco.
At a Cafe
Straniero: Scusi, questo posto è occupato?
Tu: No, è libero. Prego!
Declining a Date
Amico: Andiamo a mangiare una pizza stasera?
Tu: Mi piacerebbe, ma sono già occupato. Ho un altro impegno.
In the Classroom
Studente: Professore, può aiutarmi?
Professore: Adesso sono occupato con un altro studente, aspetti cinque minuti.
Knocking on a Door
Persona fuori: (Bussa alla porta)
Tu (dentro): Occupato!
暗記しよう
記憶術
Think of an 'Occupied' sign on a bathroom door. When you are busy, you have a mental 'Occupied' sign on your forehead!
視覚的連想
Imagine yourself sitting at a desk covered in piles of paper, holding a phone in each ear, with a big red stamp on your chest that says 'OCCUPATO'.
Rhyme
Se il lavoro è tanto e il tempo è poco, dire 'sono occupato' non è un gioco.
Story
Marco wants to go to the beach, but his boss gives him ten reports to write. Marco looks at the sun outside, sighs, and tells his friend on the phone: 'Non posso, sono troppo occupato!'. The reports are like little soldiers occupying his desk.
In Other Languages
In Spanish, it's 'estoy ocupado', and in French, 'je suis occupé'. They all share the same Latin ancestor, making it easy for Romance language learners.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Set your phone's language to Italian. When you are working, try to think 'Sono occupato' every time you look at your to-do list.
Review this phrase today, in 3 days, and in 1 week. Pay special attention to the 'o/a' ending agreement.
発音
Double 'c' is sharp like in 'soccer'. Stress is on the 'pa'.
フォーマル度スペクトル
Al momento sono impegnato in altre attività. (Work/Life balance)
Sono occupato ora. (Work/Life balance)
Ho un sacco da fare. (Work/Life balance)
Sto incasinato nero. (Work/Life balance)
From the Latin 'occupatus', the past participle of 'occupare', meaning to take hold of or seize.
豆知識
The root 'cap' in 'occupato' is the same as in 'capture' and 'capacity'!
文化メモ
In Italian offices, being 'occupato' is often a collective state before lunch. However, the 'pausa caffè' is sacred, and even a busy person will often find 5 minutes for an espresso.
“Scusa, sono occupato, ma per un caffè ho sempre tempo!”
In the South, saying you are 'occupato' might lead to a follow-up question about what exactly you are doing. It's less of a 'hard wall' than in Northern Europe.
“Sono occupato... devo aiutare mio zio in giardino.”
It is considered slightly rude to just say 'Sono occupato'. It is almost always preceded by 'Mi dispiace' (I'm sorry) or 'Scusa' (Excuse me).
“Mi dispiace tanto, ma oggi sono proprio occupata.”
On WhatsApp, many Italians use the 'Occupato' status, but they will often still reply to messages, as social connection often trumps work tasks.
“Mette 'Occupato' su WhatsApp ma risponde subito.”
会話のきっかけ
Sei molto occupato questa settimana?
Cosa fai quando sei troppo occupato per cucinare?
Ti senti più occupato la mattina o la sera?
Se fossi meno occupato, quale hobby inizieresti?
よくある間違い
Io ho occupato.
Io sono occupato.
L1 Interference
Sono occupato (said by a woman).
Sono occupata.
L1 Interference
La strada è molto occupata.
La strada è molto trafficata.
L1 Interference
Sono occupato con mia fidanzata.
Sono impegnato con la mia fidanzata.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Estoy ocupado
Spanish uses 'estar', Italian uses 'essere'.
Je suis occupé
Pronunciation and the silent 'e' in the feminine form.
Ich bin beschäftigt
German doesn't have gender agreement for the adjective 'beschäftigt' in this position.
忙しい (Isogashii)
Japanese often drops the subject ('I'), whereas Italians usually include the verb 'sono'.
أنا مشغول (Ana mashghool)
Arabic has a specific dual form if two people are busy.
我很忙 (Wǒ hěn máng)
Chinese uses 'hěn' (very) as a linking word instead of the verb 'to be'.
바빠요 (Bappayo)
Korean has many levels of politeness (honorifics) that change the ending of the word.
Estou ocupado
Uses 'estar' like Spanish, rather than 'essere'.
Spotted in the Real World
“Sono occupato, non disturbarmi ora.”
A classic Italian pop song about being too busy for love.
“Il tuo telefono è sempre occupato.”
A character notices another character's phone is always busy, leading to suspicion.
“Siamo tutti molto occupati, muoviamoci!”
The director shouting at his crew on a chaotic TV set.
“Scusate l'assenza, sono stata molto occupata con il nuovo progetto.”
A common caption for when an influencer hasn't posted in a while.
間違えやすい
Learners use them interchangeably, but they have different nuances.
Use 'occupato' for 'I have work right now' and 'impegnato' for 'I have a meeting/date/commitment'.
English uses 'busy' for both people and crowded places.
Use 'affollato' for a room full of people, 'occupato' for a person with work.
よくある質問 (12)
No, in standard Italian you must use 'Sono occupato'. 'Stare' is used for health or location, not for this state.
grammar mechanicsNo, it can be for any task: cleaning, studying, or even just being on the phone.
usage contextsYou can say 'Sono molto occupato' or 'Sono occupatissimo'.
practical tipsUse 'Siamo occupati' (mixed/men) or 'Siamo occupate' (women only).
grammar mechanicsNo, use 'trafficata' for a street with lots of traffic.
common mistakesYes, but 'impegnato' sounds slightly more professional.
cultural usageUse 'Sono occupato a...' followed by the verb, e.g., 'Sono occupato a studiare'.
grammar mechanicsYes, it can also mean a territory is occupied by an army, but context makes it clear.
basic understandingThe opposite is 'libero' (free).
basic understandingIt's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
usage contextsYes, 'Il telefono è occupato' means the line is busy.
usage contextsHold the 'k' sound for a split second longer than a single 'c'.
practical tips
