preocuparse
preh-oh-koo-PAHR-seh
Quick Reference
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
The Reflexive 'Se'
Since this verb ends in '-se', you must always include a matching pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) before the verb. This shows that the person doing the action is also the one receiving the worry.
Using 'Por' for the Topic
When you say what you are worrying about, you almost always use the preposition 'por' (for/about): 'Me preocupo por el futuro' (I worry about the future).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun
Mistake: "Yo preocupo mi salud."
Correction: Yo me preocupo por mi salud. (The verb 'preocupar' without 'se' means 'to cause worry to someone else.')
Using the Wrong Preposition
Mistake: "Se preocupa de la prueba."
Correction: Se preocupa por la prueba. (While 'de' is sometimes used regionally, 'por' is the standard and safest choice for 'about.')
⭐ Usage Tips
The Essential Phrase
The phrase 'No te preocupes' (Don't worry) is one of the most common and useful phrases you'll learn in Spanish. Use it often to reassure friends!
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: preocuparse
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'preocuparse' to say 'I worry about the future'?
📚 More Resources
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.