Italian · Emotions & Descriptions
"Busy" in Italian: occupato/a
occupato/a
Note: also: impegnato/a
Busy in Italian is occupato/a (ok-koo-PAH-toh / ok-koo-PAH-tah). Sono occupato/a means I'm busy. Impegnato/a is a related note—use occupato as the headword.
Declining a call
Ora sono occupato: ti richiamo dopo.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce occupato/a
Say it
ok-koo-PAH-toh
/ok.kuˈpa.to/
Occupato: ok-koo-PAH-toh. Double c like kk; stress PAH. Occupata: ok-koo-PAH-tah.
"Busy" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| occupato / occupata | busy; occupied (m/f) People and bathrooms. | People and bathrooms. |
| sono occupato/a | I'm busy Calendar reply. | Calendar reply. |
| linea occupata | line busy Phone. | Phone. |
| impegnato/a | busy / tied up Note only—not the headword. | Note only—not the headword. |
How to use occupato/a in real life
- 1Declining a call
Ora sono occupato: ti richiamo dopo.
I'm busy now—I'll call you back later.
Sono occupato.
- 2Bathroom door
Il bagno è occupato, aspetta un attimo.
The bathroom is occupied—wait a second.
È occupato.
- 3Work week
Questa settimana è molto occupata.
This week is very busy.
Feminine occupata.
Mistakes English speakers make with occupato/a
Incorrect: Sono busy.
Correct: Sono occupato / occupata.
Use occupato/a.
Incorrect: Use only impegnato for this word.
Correct: Sono occupato. (Impegnato is a note.)
Headword is occupato/a.
Good to know
Occupato covers people and toilets—context is obvious. For social plans, sono occupato softens a no. Impegnato sounds slightly more formal or schedule-heavy; still teach occupato first.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Trying to schedule coffee
ChatPal
Domani sei libero o sei occupato?
Tomorrow are you free or busy?
You
Al mattino sono occupata; dopo le sei ok.
In the morning I'm busy; after six is fine.
ChatPal
Allora ci vediamo alle sette.
Then let's meet at seven.
You
Perfetto, segno in agenda.
Perfect, I'll mark it in my diary.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Busy" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Busy" in Italian
How do you say busy?
Occupato / occupata.
I'm busy?
Sono occupato / sono occupata.
Impegnato?
Related note—prefer occupato for this headword.
Bathroom occupied?
Occupato.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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