Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Clogged in Spanish: Atascado
Atascado · adjective · ah-tahs-KAH-doh
Atascado is the most common Spanish adjective for clogged, describing a pipe, drain, or passage that is blocked and cannot flow freely.
ah-tahs-KAH-doh
El desagüe de la ducha está atascado otra vez.
The shower drain is clogged again.
Clogged in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for clogged, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| atascado | clogged | ah-tahs-KAH-doh | Default, widely understood |
| tapado | clogged | Mexico, Central America — blocked / clogged | |
| obstruido | clogged | formal / technical register |
How Native Speakers Use Atascado
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Plumbing
El lavabo del baño está atascado y el agua no baja.
The bathroom sink is clogged and the water won't drain.
Describing a common household plumbing problem.
Calling a plumber
Necesitamos un plomero porque la tubería está tapada.
We need a plumber because the pipe is clogged.
Requesting professional help.
Nose congestion
Tengo la nariz tapada por el resfriado.
My nose is clogged because of the cold.
Describing nasal congestion from illness.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Atascado
Forgetting gender agreement
Incorrect: La tubería está atascado.
Correct: La tubería está atascada.
Atascado must agree with the noun in gender: atascada for feminine (tubería), atascado for masculine (desagüe).
Using bloqueado for plumbing
Incorrect: El lavabo está bloqueado.
Correct: El lavabo está atascado.
Bloqueado implies something deliberately blocked or locked; atascado or tapado is the natural term for a plumbing clog.
Lock in Clogged Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Atascado used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using atascado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El desagüe de la ducha está atascado otra vez. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Clogged in Spanish
- How do you say 'clogged' in Spanish?
- The most common words are atascado (Spain and general use) and tapado (Mexico and Central America), both meaning blocked or stopped up, typically used for drains and pipes.
- Can atascado describe traffic?
- Atascado can describe being stuck in traffic — el tráfico está atascado means traffic is jammed — making it a versatile word for any kind of blockage or standstill.
- How do you say 'to unclog' in Spanish?
- The verb is desatascar (general) or destapar (Mexico), meaning to clear or unclog a blocked pipe, drain, or passage.