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A small figure sitting alone on a simple bench, looking up with a worried expression at a tiny, gray rain cloud hovering closely above their head.

preocupa

preh-oh-Koo-pah

verbA2regular ar
worries?when referring to a third person/thing (he, she, it) causing concern,concerns?as in, 'it concerns me'
Also:fusses?as in, 'he/she fusses over'

Quick Reference

infinitivepreocupar
gerundpreocupando
past Participlepreocupado

📝 In Action

Me preocupa que no haya comido nada hoy.

B1

It worries me that she hasn't eaten anything today.

La crisis económica preocupa a muchas familias.

B2

The economic crisis concerns many families.

Él siempre se preocupa demasiado por el trabajo.

A2

He always worries too much about work.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • inquietar (to make uneasy)
  • afligir (to distress)

Antonyms

  • tranquilizar (to calm)
  • aliviar (to relieve)

Common Collocations

  • me preocupa seriamente – it seriously worries me
  • no me preocupa nada – it doesn't worry me at all

💡 Grammar Points

Gustar-like Structure

When using 'preocupa' to mean 'It worries ME,' the word for 'it' is the subject, and the person worried is indicated by a pronoun like 'me,' 'te,' or 'nos.' (Example: 'Me preocupa la lluvia' - The rain worries me.)

Reflexive Use

To say a person 'worries' themselves, you must use the reflexive form 'preocuparse' and the appropriate pronoun: 'Él se preocupa' (He worries himself).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Por' Incorrectly

Mistake: "Me preocupa SOBRE el examen."

Correction: Me preocupa EL examen (The exam worries me). If you use 'preocuparse' (the reflexive form), use 'por': 'Me preocupo POR el examen' (I worry about the exam).

⭐ Usage Tips

Worrying About People

If the thing causing worry is a person, use the preposition 'a' after the verb: 'La situación preocupa A su hermano' (The situation worries his brother).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: preocupa

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'preocupa' in the 'gustar'-like structure?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

preocupación(worry, concern (noun)) - noun
preocupado(worried (adjective)) - adjective
preocuparse(to worry oneself) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'me preocupa' and 'yo me preocupo'?

They mean different things! 'Me preocupa' means 'IT worries me' (the cause of the worry is the main subject). 'Yo me preocupo' means 'I worry MYSELF' (I am the one performing the action of worrying).