occuper

Senses

1. 1.

   to occupy

   to take up or fill (space, time, or a place)

2. 2.

   to occupy (a territory, building, etc.)

   to seize control or take possession of (military or political sense)

3. 3.

   to keep busy

   to engage or employ someone's attention or energy

4. 4.

   to hold (a position or role)

   to have or fill a job or official post

Examples

• "Cette table occupe trop de place dans la cuisine."

  This table takes up too much space in the kitchen.

• "L'armée a occupé la ville pendant trois mois."

  The army occupied the city for three months.

• "Je dois trouver quelque chose pour occuper les enfants cet après-midi."

  I need to find something to keep the children busy this afternoon.

Usage

Common verb with broad everyday usage. The reflexive form *s'occuper de* means "to take care of" or "to look after" and is very frequent. The past participle *occupé* is also used as an adjective meaning "busy" (e.g., *je suis occupé*).