vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Lo siento" is a phrase which is often translated as "I'm sorry", and "está ocupado" is a phrase which is often translated as "he's busy". Learn more about the difference between "lo siento" and "está ocupado" below.
lo siento(
loh
syehn
-
toh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. I'm sorry
Me enteré del fallecimiento de tu padre. Lo siento.I heard about the death of your father. I'm sorry.
está ocupado(
ehs
-
tah
oh
-
koo
-
pah
-
doh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. he's busy (third person singular; masculine)
¿Puedo ver al señor Andes? - Lo siento, está ocupado.May I see Mr. Andes? - I'm sorry, he's busy.
b. you're busy (formal) (second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
Si usted está ocupado, puedo volver más tarde.If you're busy, I can come back later.
2. (being used)
a. it's taken
¿Puedo sentarme en este banco? - Lo siento, está ocupado.May I seat on this stool? - I'm sorry. It's taken.
b. it's busy
Estoy tratando de comunicarme con el número que me indicaste, pero está ocupado.I'm trying to get through to the number you told me, but it's busy.
