Ocupáis

Ocupáis is the second-person plural present indicative form of the Spanish verb ocupar. It is used with the pronoun vosotros, which is common in Spain and parts of the southern United States. In most of Latin America, the equivalent meaning is expressed with ustedes ocupan, since ustedes is the standard second-person plural pronoun there.

The verb ocupar has several related senses. It can mean physically taking up space or occupying a location (for example, ocupar una plaza), taking a seat or a position (ocupar un puesto), or dedicating time or attention to a matter (ocupar mucho tiempo). In casual speech, ocupáis can appear in contexts such as describing who fills a space, a role, or a time slot: “Ocupáis la primera fila” (You all occupy the first row) or “Ocupáis demasiado tiempo de la reunión” (You all take up too much meeting time).

Grammar notes: ocupar is a regular -ar verb, so ocupáis follows the standard vosotros present tense pattern (habláis, trabajáis). The corresponding present subjunctive for vosotros is ocupéis. The form contrasts with the third-person plural ocupan, which is used when the subject is ustedes or ellos/ellas in regions that use ustedes.

Etymology: ocupar derives from Latin occupāre, meaning to seize or take possession, reflecting the broad sense of occupying space, position, or time.