preocuparse
“preocuparse” means “to worry” in Spanish (to feel anxiety or stress).
to worry, to be concerned
Also: to take care of
📝 In Action
No te preocupes por el dinero, yo lo pago.
A1Don't worry about the money, I'll pay for it.
Mi madre se preocupa mucho por mi salud.
A2My mother worries a lot about my health.
Dejó de preocuparse por las cosas pequeñas y se sintió más feliz.
B1She stopped worrying about the small things and felt happier.
Nos preocupamos si no llegas a tiempo, así que avísanos.
A2We get worried if you don't arrive on time, so let us know.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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Words that translate to "preocuparse" in Spanish:
to worry→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: preocuparse
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'preocuparse' to say 'I worry about the future'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *praeoccupare*, meaning 'to take possession of beforehand' or 'to seize in advance.' Over time, this evolved to mean 'to seize the mind,' leading to our modern sense of 'worrying' or 'taking up your thoughts.'
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'preocupar' and 'preocuparse'?
'Preocupar' (without the -se) means 'to worry someone else' (e.g., 'El ruido me preocupa' - The noise worries me). 'Preocuparse' (with the -se) means 'to worry oneself' or 'to feel worried' (e.g., 'Yo me preocupo' - I worry).
Is 'preocuparse' a stem-changing verb?
No, 'preocuparse' is a regular '-ar' verb. It follows the standard conjugation patterns, unlike verbs like 'dormir' or 'poder' which change their vowel sounds.