Inklingo

preocupada

pre-oh-koo-PAH-dah/pɾeokuˈpaða/

preocupada means worried in Spanish (describing an anxious emotional state).

worried, concerned

Also: anxious
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration of a young girl sitting alone on a wooden bench, looking down with a furrowed brow and a sad expression, clearly depicting worry.

📝 In Action

Mi hermana está muy preocupada por su entrevista de trabajo.

A1

My sister is very worried about her job interview.

La madre se veía preocupada cuando el niño se cayó.

A2

The mother looked concerned when the boy fell down.

Estuvimos muy preocupadas por la demora del vuelo.

B1

We (a female group) were very worried about the flight delay.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • ansiosa (anxious)
  • inquieta (restless, uneasy)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • estar preocupadato be worried
  • parecer preocupadato look concerned

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: preocupada

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly describes Laura's current state of worry?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

The word comes from the Latin verb *praeoccupare*, meaning 'to take possession of beforehand' or 'to seize first.' In Spanish, it evolved to mean 'to occupy the mind' or 'to worry someone's thoughts.'

First recorded: Medieval Spanish period.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: preocupadaItalian: preoccupata

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'preocupada' a verb or an adjective?

It is an adjective, used to describe a feminine person or thing that is experiencing worry. It comes directly from the past form of the verb *preocupar* (to worry).

How do I make 'preocupada' plural?

To describe more than one worried woman or feminine group, simply add an 's': *preocupadas* (e.g., 'Ellas están preocupadas').