Spanish · Emotions & Descriptions
"Worried" in Spanish: preocupado/a
preocupado/a
Worried in Spanish is preocupado or preocupada. Say Estoy preocupado por ti. Estoy preocupada por el examen. Use estar, not ser, for this feeling.
Waiting on news
Estoy preocupado por tu vuelo.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce preocupado/a
Say it
preh-oh-koo-PAH-doh / preh-oh-koo-PAH-dah
/pɾe.o.ku.ˈpa.ðo/, /pɾe.o.ku.ˈpa.ða/
preh-oh-koo-PAH-doh / preh-oh-koo-PAH-dah. Stress PAH. The c before u is a hard k.
"Worried" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| preocupado | worried (masc.) Temporary feeling with estar. | Temporary feeling with estar. |
| preocupada | worried (fem.) Feminine form. | Feminine form. |
| preocupado por | worried about Names the cause of worry. | Names the cause of worry. |
| no te preocupes | don't worry Common reassurance. | Common reassurance. |
How to use preocupado/a in real life
- 1Waiting on news
Estoy preocupado por tu vuelo.
I’m worried about your flight.
Preocupado por + cause.
- 2Before a test
Ana está preocupada por las notas.
Ana is worried about the grades.
Preocupada agrees with Ana.
- 3Calming a friend
No estés preocupado. Ya llamé.
Don't be worried. I already called.
No estés preocupado softens panic.
Mistakes English speakers make with preocupado/a
Incorrect: Ella está preocupado.
Correct: Ella está preocupada.
Agree gender: preocupada with ella.
Incorrect: Soy preocupado.
Correct: Estoy preocupado.
Use estar with preocupado for a feeling.
Good to know
Estar preocupado/a is everyday across Latin America. No te preocupes is the go-to comfort line. Milder than preocupado: un poco inquieto/a.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
A late text from home
ChatPal
Estás preocupado. ¿Pasó algo?
You’re worried. Did something happen?
You
Sí, preocupado. Mamá no responde.
Yes, worried. Mom isn’t answering.
ChatPal
Tranquilo. A veces el celular falla.
Relax. Sometimes the phone fails.
You
Gracias. No quiero seguir preocupado toda la noche.
Thanks. I don’t want to stay worried all night.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Worried" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Worried" in Spanish
How does gender work?
Preocupado (m.), preocupada (f.), plurals preocupados / preocupadas.
Ser or estar?
Estar: Estoy preocupado. Ser sounds odd for a temporary worry.
How do I say don’t worry?
No te preocupes. or No se preocupe (formal).
Worried about what?
Estoy preocupado por… + the thing.
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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