preocupes
preh-oh-KOO-pehs
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
No te preocupes, todo va a estar bien.
A1Don't worry, everything is going to be okay.
Espero que no te preocupes demasiado por el examen.
B1I hope you don't worry too much about the exam.
Dime la verdad para que no te preocupes más.
B2Tell me the truth so you don't worry anymore.
💡 Grammar Points
Two Main Jobs: Commands and Wishes
You'll see 'preocupes' in two main situations. First, to tell a friend 'Don't worry!' (No te preocupes). Second, after phrases that express wishes, doubts, or emotions, like 'I hope that...' (Espero que no te preocupes).
The 'te' Part
'Preocupes' comes from the verb preocuparse. The se at the end means the action reflects back on the person. The te in no te preocupes means 'yourself'. So it's literally 'Don't worry yourself'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'preocupas' for a negative command
Mistake: "No te preocupas."
Correction: No te preocupes. To tell a friend *not* to do something, Spanish uses a special verb form. For 'tú', this form often ends in '-es' for verbs that end in '-ar'.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Reassuring Phrase
'No te preocupes' is a perfect, friendly way to reassure someone. It's used just like 'Don't worry' or 'No problem' in English.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: preocupes
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly tells a friend not to worry?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'No te preocupes' and 'No se preocupe'?
Both mean 'Don't worry,' but they show different levels of formality. 'No te preocupes' is informal and friendly, used with people you call 'tú'. 'No se preocupe' is formal, used with people you call 'usted', like a stranger, an older person, or a boss.
Why is it 'preocupes' and not 'preocupas' in a sentence like 'Espero que no te preocupes'?
In Spanish, after words that express hopes, doubts, or emotions (like 'espero que...', meaning 'I hope that...'), you need to switch to a special verb mood called the subjunctive. It signals that what you're talking about isn't a sure fact. For the verb 'preocuparse', the 'tú' form in this mood is 'preocupes'.