vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Ocupado" is a form of "ocupado", an adjective which is often translated as "busy". "A" is a preposition which is often translated as "to". Learn more about the difference between "a" and "ocupado" below.
a, la a(
ah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
ocupado(
oh
-
koo
-
pah
-
doh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. busy
Estoy muy ocupada. No puedo hablar contigo ahora.I'm really busy. I can't talk to you right now.
2. (being used)
b. occupied
Tendrás que esperar porque el baño está ocupado.You will have to wait because the bathroom is occupied.
c. busy (telephone)
Intenté llamarte, pero cada vez que marcaba tu número salía ocupado.I tried calling you, but every time I dialed your number it was busy.
a. occupied
Los territorios ocupados del Medio Oriente son una fuente continua de conflictos.The occupied territories in the Middle East are an ongoing source of conflict.
4. (employed)
a. working
El porcentaje de personas ocupadas llegó a un mínimo histórico en España en el 2012.The percentage of people working in Spain reached an all-time low in 2012.
