temes
TEH-mess
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
¿Qué temes más, el fracaso o el éxito?
B1What do you fear more, failure or success?
Si temes la oscuridad, podemos dejar la luz encendida.
A2If you are afraid of the dark, we can leave the light on.
Temes que la gente no entienda tus ideas, ¿verdad?
B2You worry that people won't understand your ideas, right?
💡 Grammar Points
Identifying 'Temes'
'Temes' is the form used when you are directly addressing one person you know well (tú) and talking about what they are fearing right now or generally.
Regular -ER Verb
The verb 'temer' is very predictable! It follows all the standard patterns for verbs ending in -ER, which makes learning its other forms easy.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Temer' vs. 'Tener Miedo'
Mistake: "Using 'Tú tienes miedo' when you want a single word verb."
Correction: While 'Tú tienes miedo' (You have fear) is correct and very common, 'Tú temes' is the single-verb equivalent. Use whichever sounds more natural to you.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'que' after fearing
When you fear a future event, use 'temer que' and follow it with the special verb form (the subjunctive) for the next verb: 'Temes que no funcione' (You fear that it won't work).
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: temes
Question 1 of 2
If you are talking formally to a boss, how would you say 'You fear the change'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'temes' used for physical fear or emotional dread?
'Temer' can be used for both! You can 'temer' a big dog (physical fear) or 'temer' losing your job (emotional dread/worry). It covers the full spectrum of being afraid.
How do I say 'Don't fear' using 'temes'?
You need the negative imperative form. You would say 'No temas.' Notice how the vowel changes from 'e' in 'temes' to 'a' in 'temas' for the negative command.