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empanado means spaced out — a common term in Funny Words. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: December 19, 2025

😆 Funny Words

empanado

adjective • /[em-pa-NA-do]/

spaced out

Example:

Estoy empanado, no entiendo nada.

I’m spaced out, can’t get anything.

🧠 What does empanado mean?

The adjective 'empanado' is a colloquial term used to describe someone who is 'spaced out', absent-minded, or not paying attention. It implies that the person is slow to react or understand what is happening around them, as if their mind is clouded or foggy. The word's literal meaning is 'breaded', like a piece of chicken, which humorously suggests that the person's brain is 'coated' in something, preventing it from working quickly.

📚 Extra examples

  • Perdona, ¿puedes repetir? Estaba un poco empanado y no te he oído.
    Sorry, can you repeat that? I was a bit spaced out and didn't hear you.
  • El portero se quedó empanado y el otro equipo marcó un gol.
    The goalkeeper was out of it and the other team scored a goal.
  • Siempre anda empanada por las mañanas hasta que no se toma un café.
    She's always spaced out in the mornings until she has a coffee.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'empanado' comes directly from 'pan' (bread). Its literal meaning is 'covered in breadcrumbs'. The famous Spanish and Latin American pastry, the 'empanada', shares this same root. The slang term humorously pictures a person's mind as being 'coated' or 'covered', making them slow to process information.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "empanado"

Synonyms: distraído, despistado, en las nubes, en la luna, ausente
Opposites: atento, concentrado, despierto, enfocado, alerta

🔍 See more funny words words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'spaced out' in Spanish?
A very common and informal way to say 'spaced out' in Spanish is 'empanado'. Other expressions include 'estar en la luna' (to be on the moon) or 'estar en las nubes' (to be in the clouds).
How do you pronounce 'empanado' in Spanish?
The word 'empanado' is pronounced em-pa-NA-do. The stress falls on the third syllable, 'na'.
How do you use 'empanado' in a sentence?
It is used with the verb 'estar' to describe a temporary state. For example: 'Estás muy empanado hoy, ¿te pasa algo?' (You're very spaced out today, is something wrong?).
What is the English translation of 'empanado'?
The most direct English translation is 'spaced out'. Depending on the context, it can also mean absent-minded, daydreaming, or 'out of it'.
Does 'empanado' change for gender or number?
Yes, as a standard adjective, it changes to match the noun it describes: 'empanada' (feminine singular), 'empanados' (masculine plural), and 'empanadas' (feminine plural).
Is 'empanado' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it is a very common colloquial term, especially in Spain. It's frequently used in informal conversations among friends and family.
Does 'empanado' have slang or double meanings?
Yes. Its primary, literal meaning is 'breaded' (as in food). The slang meaning of 'spaced out' is a figurative extension of this. Context almost always makes the intended meaning clear; if you are talking about a person, it means 'spaced out', and if you are talking about food, it means 'breaded'.
Is 'empanado' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
This figurative use of 'empanado' is characteristic of the colloquial Spanish spoken in Spain. In most of Latin America, the word is typically only understood in its culinary sense, 'breaded'.

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