adjective
occupied, taken
A1
besetzt means 'occupied' or 'taken', often used for seats, phone lines, or positions. It is a past-participle adjective derived from besetzen. Not reflexive, not gradable in this usage. Common antonyms: leer, frei. As an adjective it declines according to case, gender and number.
Examples
Die Leitung war besetzt, sodass der Anrufer eine Nachricht hinterließ.
The line was busy, so the caller left a message.
Der Platz ist besetzt.
The seat is occupied.
Das Hotelzimmer ist leider besetzt.
The hotel room is unfortunately taken.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a seat with a sign 'besetzt' meaning someone is sitting there.
Think 'busy seat' — 'besetzt' indicates it's taken.
Notes
Participle adjective from 'besetzen'. Often used as a predicate adjective ('ist besetzt').