ansiedad
/ahn-syay-DAHD/
anxiety
Visualizing the mental state of worry or distress, which is one meaning of ansiedad (anxiety).
ansiedad(Noun)
anxiety
?mental state of worry or distress
worry
?general feeling of unease
,distress
?psychological anguish
📝 In Action
Sufre de mucha ansiedad social cuando tiene que hablar en público.
B1She suffers from a lot of social anxiety when she has to speak in public.
El médico le recomendó ejercicios de respiración para controlar la ansiedad.
B2The doctor recommended breathing exercises to control the anxiety.
Sentía una ansiedad terrible antes de los exámenes finales.
B1He felt terrible worry before the final exams.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Reminder
Remember that 'ansiedad' is always a feminine word, so you must use 'la' before it (la ansiedad) and feminine adjectives after it (ansiedad profunda).
❌ Common Pitfalls
False Cognate Alert
Mistake: "Using 'ansiedad' to mean 'annoyance' or 'anger.'"
Correction: Ansiedad refers specifically to worry or eagerness, not irritation. Use 'molestia' or 'rabia' for annoyance/anger.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Anxiety
To say 'I am anxious,' Spanish speakers typically use the adjective 'ansioso/a' with the verb 'estar': 'Estoy ansiosa.'
Ansiedad can also describe strong anticipation or desire, often translated as eagerness.
ansiedad(Noun)
eagerness
?strong anticipation or desire
,craving
?strong desire, often for food or specific items
anticipation
?nervous excitement about a future event
📝 In Action
Esperaba la película con mucha ansiedad.
A2She waited for the movie with great eagerness/anticipation.
Tengo ansiedad de comer algo dulce después de cenar.
B1I have a craving to eat something sweet after dinner.
La ansiedad por ganar la carrera era evidente en sus ojos.
B2The eagerness to win the race was evident in his eyes.
💡 Grammar Points
Expressing Craving
When 'ansiedad' means 'craving' or 'strong desire,' it is often followed by 'de' and then the thing you want: 'ansiedad de chocolate' (craving for chocolate).
⭐ Usage Tips
Positive vs. Negative
Context is key! 'Ansiedad' can be used positively (eagerness for a trip) or negatively (worry about a job interview). Listen to the tone and accompanying adjectives.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ansiedad
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'ansiedad' to mean 'eagerness' or 'anticipation'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ansiedad' only used for serious mental health issues?
No. While it is the correct term for clinical anxiety, it is also used commonly in everyday life to mean strong eagerness, anticipation, or a simple craving (like a craving for sweets).
How do I say 'anxiety attack' in Spanish?
The most common and correct phrase is 'un ataque de ansiedad.' Since 'ansiedad' is feminine, you use the preposition 'de' after the masculine noun 'ataque.'