I'm worried
in SpanishEstoy preocupado/a
/ehs-TOY pray-oh-koo-PAH-doh / dah/
This is the most direct and common way to say 'I'm worried.' Remember to match the ending to your gender: 'preocupado' if you identify as male, and 'preocupada' if you identify as female.
Expressing worry is a key part of sharing your feelings. 'Estoy preocupado/a' is the most direct way to let someone know what's on your mind.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Me preocupa...
/may pray-oh-KOO-pah.../
A very natural and common alternative that shifts the focus to the thing causing the worry. It literally means 'It worries me...' and is often followed by the source of the concern.
Ando preocupado/a
/AHN-doh pray-oh-koo-PAH-doh / dah/
A more dynamic and casual way to express an ongoing state of worry. Using 'andar' (to walk/go around) instead of 'estar' (to be) implies that you're carrying this feeling with you.
Estoy angustiado/a
/ehs-TOY ahn-goos-TYAH-doh / dah/
This is a much stronger word, translating to 'I'm distressed' or 'I'm anguished.' It conveys a deeper level of anxiety and emotional pain than simple worry.
Estoy inquieto/a
/ehs-TOY een-KYEH-toh / tah/
This means 'I'm uneasy' or 'I'm restless.' It describes a general feeling of anxiety or agitation, often without a single, clear cause, or a worry that makes you feel physically fidgety.
Tengo preocupación por...
/TEN-goh pray-oh-koo-pah-SYOHN por.../
A more formal and slightly detached way to express concern, literally meaning 'I have concern for...'. It uses the noun 'preocupación' (worry/concern) instead of the adjective.
Estoy con el Jesús en la boca
/ehs-TOY kon el heh-SOOS en la BOH-kah/
A colorful and dramatic idiom that means you're extremely worried or on edge. The literal translation is 'I'm with Jesus in my mouth,' implying you're so nervous you're constantly on the verge of praying.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose the best way to express your worry in different situations.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estoy preocupado/a | Neutral | General, all-purpose situations to say you're worried. | It's rarely wrong, but other options can be more specific or natural. |
| Me preocupa... | Neutral | Immediately stating the *source* of your worry. | You want to focus on your internal feeling rather than the external cause. |
| Estoy inquieto/a | Neutral | Describing a feeling of restlessness or general unease. | You are worried about one very specific, identifiable problem. |
| Estoy angustiado/a | Neutral | Expressing deep distress, anguish, or severe anxiety. | Talking about minor, everyday concerns like being late or a small test. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy. The 'r' in 'preocupado' is a simple tap, not a strong roll. Vowels are consistent and clear.
Requires understanding two key beginner concepts: using the verb 'estar' for emotions and matching the adjective ending ('-o' or '-a') to your gender.
Usage is quite direct, but knowing the different levels of intensity (preocupado vs. angustiado) is important to avoid sounding overly dramatic.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use '-o' or '-a' (adjective agreement).
- Choosing 'estar' (temporary state) instead of 'ser' (permanent trait).
💡Examples in Action
Estoy muy preocupada por el examen de mañana, no he estudiado lo suficiente.
I'm very worried about tomorrow's exam, I haven't studied enough.
Me preocupa que mi padre no contesta el teléfono. Normalmente siempre responde.
It worries me that my father isn't answering the phone. He usually always picks up.
Desde que perdió su trabajo, anda muy angustiado por el futuro.
Ever since he lost his job, he's been very distressed about the future.
No es nada grave, pero estoy un poco inquieto por la reunión con el jefe.
It's nothing serious, but I'm a little uneasy about the meeting with the boss.
🌍Cultural Context
Expressing Emotions Openly
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, particularly among family and close friends, expressing worry is very common and not seen as a weakness. It's a way to show you care and to invite support from others. Don't be surprised if someone responds to your worry with immediate offers of help or reassurance.
Temporary State vs. Permanent Trait
The choice of the verb 'estar' is crucial here. 'Estoy preocupado' means you are worried *right now* (a temporary state). If you were to say 'Soy preocupado,' you'd be saying 'I am a worrisome person' (a permanent personality trait). Learners almost always want to use 'estar' for this feeling.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Gender Agreement
Mistake: "A female speaker saying: 'Estoy preocupado.'"
Correction: A female speaker should say: 'Estoy preocupada.'
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "'Soy preocupado por el examen.'"
Correction: 'Estoy preocupado por el examen.'
Confusing 'Me preocupa' and 'Me preocupo'
Mistake: "'Me preocupo el dinero.'"
Correction: 'Me preocupa el dinero' OR 'Me preocupo por el dinero.'
💡Pro Tips
Always Check Your Ending: -o or -a?
The first thing to remember is gender agreement. Before you say the phrase, quickly think: am I saying this about myself? If so, use '-o' (preocupado) if you're male or '-a' (preocupada) if you're female. This simple check will make you sound much more natural.
Use 'Me preocupa' to Sound Like a Native
While 'Estoy preocupado' is perfectly correct, Spanish speakers frequently use 'Me preocupa...' ('It worries me...'). It's a very common structure for feelings. Try starting your sentence this way: 'Me preocupa la situación' (The situation worries me). It's a subtle shift that makes a big difference.
Choose Your Intensity
Not all worry is the same. Use 'preocupado' for general worry, 'inquieto' for a restless, uneasy feeling, and save 'angustiado' for when you are truly distressed and overwhelmed. Using the right word shows a higher level of fluency.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards often use very graphic and expressive idioms to convey worry. Phrases that reference a state of being unable to live or constant prayer are common in informal speech.
Mexico
The use of 'andar' instead of 'estar' ('ando preocupado') is very characteristic of Mexican Spanish and implies an ongoing state of worry. 'Me apura' is a common, slightly less intense way to express concern.
Argentina
Argentinians might use the vague phrase 'me da cosa' to express a feeling of worry or unease about something. The distinctive 'sh' pronunciation is a key feature of the Rioplatense dialect.
💬What Comes Next?
After you say you're worried.
¿Por qué? ¿Qué pasa?
Why? What's wrong?
Es que estoy preocupado/a por...
It's just that I'm worried about...
Someone tries to reassure you.
No te preocupes. Todo va a estar bien.
Don't worry. Everything is going to be alright.
Gracias, eso espero.
Thanks, I hope so.
You want to ask if they are worried too.
Sí, yo también estoy preocupado/a.
Yes, I'm worried too.
¿Y qué crees que podemos hacer?
And what do you think we can do?
🧠Memory Tricks
This connects the Spanish word to a familiar English concept with a similar sound and meaning, making it easier to recall.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the mandatory gender agreement. In English, 'I'm worried' is the same for everyone, but in Spanish, the word itself must change ('preocupado' vs. 'preocupada') depending on who is speaking. Also, the common 'Me preocupa...' structure, which translates to 'It worries me...', is used far more frequently in Spanish than its literal equivalent in English.
Expressing worry is generally quite direct and accepted in Spanish, especially in personal relationships. While in some English-speaking cultures it might be seen as complaining or oversharing, in Spanish it's often a way to build connection and show vulnerability.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: If you translate this as 'Estoy preocupado/a,' you're only describing a temporary feeling. 'I am a worrier' describes a personality trait.
Use instead: To describe a personality trait, you would use the verb 'ser': 'Soy una persona muy preocupona' (I'm a very worrisome person).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say Don't worry
This is the most common and natural response you'll hear after saying you're worried.
How to ask What's wrong?
This is how you can ask someone else why they seem worried, continuing the conversation.
How to say I'm stressed
Stress and worry are closely related emotions, and 'Estoy estresado/a' is another very useful phrase.
How to say Everything will be okay
Learn how to reassure someone else who tells you they are worried.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I'm worried
Question 1 of 3
You are a woman waiting for a friend who is very late. How do you tell another friend 'I'm worried'?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'Estoy preocupado' and 'Me preocupa'?
They are very similar, but have a slightly different focus. 'Estoy preocupado/a' focuses on your internal feeling ('I am worried'). 'Me preocupa...' focuses on the external thing causing the feeling ('It worries me...'). Both are used constantly, but using 'Me preocupa...' often sounds a little more natural to a native speaker.
Do I always have to change the ending to -o or -a?
Yes, if you are using an adjective like 'preocupado', 'inquieto', or 'angustiado' to describe a person. It must match the gender of the person you're talking about. If you're a man, you say 'preocupado'. If you're a woman, 'preocupada'. If you're talking about a group of all women, 'preocupadas'.
How do I say 'I'm worried about you'?
You have two great options. You can say 'Estoy preocupado/a por ti' (direct translation) or, more commonly, 'Me preocupas' (which literally means 'You worry me'). Both work perfectly.
Is 'preocupado' used for both serious and minor worries?
Yes, 'preocupado' is a very versatile word. You can use it for small things like 'Estoy preocupado por el tráfico' (I'm worried about the traffic) and for big things like 'Estoy preocupado por su salud' (I'm worried about his health). For extremely serious situations, you might upgrade to 'angustiado' (distressed).
Can I use 'preocupado' in a professional setting?
Absolutely. It's a neutral term that is perfectly acceptable at work. You could say to a colleague, 'Estoy preocupado por los plazos del proyecto' (I'm worried about the project deadlines). For a more formal, written report, you might use 'Existe preocupación por...' (There is concern about...).
What's the difference between 'inquieto' and 'preocupado'?
'Preocupado' usually refers to worry about a specific problem you can name. 'Inquieto' describes a more general feeling of unease, restlessness, or agitation. You might feel 'inquieto' without knowing exactly why, or because your worry is making you feel physically fidgety.
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