occuper/ɔ.ky.pe/
verb · A2 · Frequency 301
verb
Meanings
to occupy, to take up (space, time, etc.)
Used to indicate taking up physical space or time.
to be busy with, to keep oneself busy with something
Used to indicate being busy with an activity or task.
to take care of, to tend to, to deal with someone or something
Used to indicate caring for or dealing with someone or something.
Examples
Le siège est déjà occupé, mais une autre chaise est libre.
The seat is already occupied, but another chair is free.
Le poste de responsable est occupé par une ingénieure expérimentée depuis janvier.
The manager's position has been held by an experienced engineer since January.
Je suis occupé à préparer la présentation de demain.
I am busy preparing tomorrow's presentation.
Il s'est occupé du dossier pendant l'absence de sa collègue.
He dealt with the file while his colleague was away.
Grammar note
The verb occuper can use either avoir or être as auxiliary in compound tenses (être when used pronominally). It can function as a transitive or pronominal verb.