"Preocupar" no traduce en "preoccupy."

Question

When I look up the definition of "preocupar" on SD it translates to "preoccupy"—and vice versa.

But preocupar is defined on SD as “to worry.” Preoccupy is to “completely occupy the mind” (AHD) and to be proccupied is to “be engrossed” or “absorbed in thought.”

And yes, I am preoccupied with this conumdrum.

So how does the real meaning of "preoccupy" translate into Spanish--as in, for example, "I was preoccupied by the book I was reading."?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi frank!

Interesting. I'm not familiar with the word preoccupy in English, I think I don't really understand how you use it.

After reading your post, I'd translate your sentence "I was preoccupied by the book I was reading", as:

Estaba absorto en el libro que estaba leyendo.

But this is only a guess.

I think you've given me the perfect answer. Thank you! - mtmonadnock, Jan 30, 2012

Thst's a very good translation. - samdie, Jan 30, 2012

Answer 2

But if you look up the definition of preoccupy, guess what Spanish verb is used?

preocupar.

(Del lat. praeoccup?re).

• 1) tr. Ocupar antes o anticipadamente algo. (English definition of preoccupy: To occupy or take possession of in advance or before another.)

• 2) tr. Prevenir a alguien en la adquisición de algo.

• 3) tr. Dicho de algo que ha ocurrido o va a ocurrir: Producir intranquilidad, temor, angustia o inquietud. U. t. c. prnl.

• 4) tr. Dicho de una cosa: Interesar a alguien de modo que le sea difícil admitir o pensar en otras cosas. (English definition of preoccupy: To occupy completely the mind or attention of; engross See synonyms at monopolize.)

• 5) prnl. Estar interesado o encaprichado en favor o en contra de una persona, de una opinión o de otra cosa.

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preoccupy

So putting aside the context of worry (RAE def. 3), preocupar is the synonym for preoccupy in 2 other contexts.

Wow! I didn't even know that "preocupar" means all those things! I'd say that the most usual meaning is 3, by far. - cogumela, Jan 30, 2012

Respectfully, gfreed, when I said "vice versa" it meant that I did look up "preoccupy" on SD. - mtmonadnock, Jan 30, 2012