Inklingo
← Dictionary

preocupar

pre-oh-koo-par/pɾeokuˈpaɾ/

“preocupar” means “to worry” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to worry

Also: to concern
VerbA2regular ar
A concerned mother looking at a child who has a small bandage on their knee.
gerundpreocupando
infinitivepreocupar
past Participlepreocupado

📝 In Action

Tu salud me preocupa mucho.

A2

Your health worries me a lot.

No quiero preocupar a mis padres con mis problemas.

B1

I don't want to worry my parents with my problems.

Lo que más preocupa a los expertos es el cambio climático.

B2

What concerns experts the most is climate change.

Word Connections

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • preocupar de verdad – to really worry someone
  • empezar a preocupar – to start worrying

to worry about

Also: to care about
VerbB1regular (pronominal) ar
A person sitting on a bench with their head in their hands, looking thoughtful and uneasy.
gerundpreocupándose
infinitivepreocuparse
past Participlepreocupado

📝 In Action

Me preocupo por ti.

A2

I worry about you.

¡No te preocupes! Todo va a estar bien.

A1

Don't worry! Everything is going to be fine.

Ella se preocupa de que sus hijos coman bien.

B1

She makes sure (worries) that her children eat well.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • inquietarse (to get worried)

Antonyms

  • despreocuparse (to stop worrying / ignore)

Common Collocations

  • preocuparse por – to worry about (person/thing)
  • preocuparse de – to take care of / ensure that

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

present

yopreocupe
nosotrospreocupemos
vosotrospreocupéis
él/ella/ustedpreocupe
ellos/ellas/ustedespreocupen
túpreocupes

imperfect

yopreocupara
nosotrospreocupáramos
vosotrospreocuparais
él/ella/ustedpreocupara
ellos/ellas/ustedespreocuparan
túpreocuparas

indicative

present

yopreocupo
nosotrospreocupamos
vosotrospreocupáis
él/ella/ustedpreocupa
ellos/ellas/ustedespreocupan
túpreocupas

preterite

yopreocupé
nosotrospreocupamos
vosotrospreocupasteis
él/ella/ustedpreocupó
ellos/ellas/ustedespreocuparon
túpreocupaste

imperfect

yopreocupaba
nosotrospreocupábamos
vosotrospreocupabais
él/ella/ustedpreocupaba
ellos/ellas/ustedespreocupaban
túpreocupabas
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "preocupar" in Spanish:

to concern→to worry→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: preocupar

Question 1 of 3

How would you say 'This situation worries me'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
preocupación(worry / concern) — Noun
preocupado(worried) — Adjective
preocupante(worrying / alarming) — Adjective
despreocupado(unconcerned / carefree) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'praeoccupare', which combines 'prae' (before) and 'occupare' (to seize or occupy). Originally, it meant to take possession of something before others, which evolved into 'occupying' the mind with thoughts of future problems.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: preoccupyFrench: préoccuper

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between preocupar and preocuparse?

'Preocupar' is when something *else* causes worry (like a bill worrying you), while 'preocuparse' is the act of *you* feeling worried about something.

Can 'preocuparse de' mean something other than being nervous?

Yes! 'Preocuparse de' can mean to take responsibility for something, similar to 'making sure' or 'tending to' a task.

Is 'preocupar' a regular verb?

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar in all tenses.