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"Necesitar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to need", and "ocupar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to take up". Learn more about the difference between "necesitar" and "ocupar" below.
necesitar(
neh
-
seh
-
see
-
tahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to require)
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to need
Necesitan salir ya si quieren alcanzar su vuelo.You need to leave now if you want to make your flight.
ocupar(
oh
-
koo
-
pahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to cover)
a. to take up (space)
Los juguetes de los niños ocupan mucho espacio.The kid's toys take up a lot of space.
2. (to invade)
3. (to hold)
a. to occupy
Ha ocupado el puesto de gerente por casi cinco años.He's occupied the manager position for almost five years.
a. to be in
El ciclista colombiano ocupa el primer puesto de la clasificación general.The Colombian cyclist is in the first position of the general standings.
a. to keep occupied
Ya no sé en qué ocupar a los niños.I just don't know how to keep the children occupied anymore.
7. (to hire)
a. to employ
El nuevo proyecto de la industria aeroespacial ocupará a cientos de ingenieros.The new aerospace project will employ hundreds of engineers.
8. (to seize)
ocuparse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
10. (to tackle)
a. to be in charge of
Yo me ocupaba de las compras y de las exportaciones.I was in charge of purchases and exports.
12. (to look after)
a. to take care of
Tanto el padre como la madre se ocupan de sus hijos.Both the father and the mother take care of their children.
