Spanish · Emotions & Descriptions
"Scared (afraid)" in Spanish: asustado/a
asustado/a
Note: also: con miedo
Scared in Spanish is asustado or asustada. Say Estoy asustado. Estoy asustada. Con miedo also works, but this page teaches asustado/a.
After a loud bang
Estoy asustado por el ruido.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce asustado/a
Say it
ah-soo-STAH-doh / ah-soo-STAH-dah
/a.sus.ˈta.ðo/, /a.sus.ˈta.ða/
ah-soo-STAH-doh / ah-soo-STAH-dah. Stress STAH. The u is like oo in food.
"Scared (afraid)" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| asustado | scared (masc.) With estar for a temporary feeling. | With estar for a temporary feeling. |
| asustada | scared (fem.) Feminine form. | Feminine form. |
| con miedo | afraid / with fear Very common everyday alternative. | Very common everyday alternative. |
| me asusté | I got scared Past reaction to a sudden scare. | Past reaction to a sudden scare. |
How to use asustado/a in real life
- 1After a loud bang
Estoy asustado por el ruido.
I’m scared because of the noise.
Asustado with estoy for a feeling.
- 2Horror movie night
Mis primas salieron asustadas del cine.
My cousins left the cinema scared.
Asustadas is feminine plural.
- 3Talking about a child
El niño está asustado de la tormenta.
The boy is scared of the storm.
Estar asustado de… names the cause.
Mistakes English speakers make with asustado/a
Incorrect: Ella está asustado.
Correct: Ella está asustada.
Agree gender: asustada with ella.
Incorrect: Soy asustado.
Correct: Estoy asustado.
Use estar with asustado for a feeling, not ser.
Good to know
Asustado/a marks a scare you feel right now. Soft options exist, yet asustado stays the clear adjective. Parents say No estés asustado to calm kids after a jump scare.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Walking home after fireworks
ChatPal
¿Estás asustado? Ese petardo fue fuerte.
Are you scared? That firecracker was loud.
You
Un poco asustado, sí. Ya pasó.
A little scared, yes. It’s over.
ChatPal
Camina cerca. No quiero verte asustado otra vez.
Walk close. I don’t want to see you scared again.
You
Vamos a la calle iluminada.
Let’s go to the lit street.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Scared (afraid)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Scared (afraid)" in Spanish
Asustado or con miedo?
Both mean scared. Asustado is the adjective; con miedo is a common phrase.
How does gender work?
Asustado (m.), asustada (f.), plurals asustados / asustadas.
Ser or estar?
Use estar: Estoy asustado. Ser sounds like a lasting trait.
How do I say I got scared?
Me asusté. or Me dio miedo.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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