Inklingo

How to Say "apprehension" in Spanish

English → Spanish

preocupación

nounA2general
Use this word when 'apprehension' refers to a feeling of anxiety or fear about something that might happen in the future.

Examples

Siento mucha preocupación por el futuro de mis hijos.

I feel a lot of apprehension about my children's future.

detención

nounB2formal
Use this word for the formal act of arresting or detaining someone, often by law enforcement.

Examples

La detención del sospechoso ocurrió sin incidentes.

The suspect's apprehension occurred without incident.

arresto

/ah-RREHS-toh//aˈrresto/

nounB1formal
This is a more formal and sometimes legal term for the act of capturing or arresting someone.
A simple drawing of a police officer in uniform gently applying handcuffs to the wrist of a civilian.

Examples

La policía ejecutó el arresto sin resistencia.

The police carried out the apprehension without resistance.

El sospechoso quedó bajo arresto domiciliario.

The suspect remained under house arrest.

El juez firmó la orden de arresto ayer.

The judge signed the arrest warrant yesterday.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-o', remember that 'arresto' is always a masculine noun, meaning you use 'el' or 'un' with it.

Using the Wrong Verb

Mistake: “Hacer un arresto”

Correction: Realizar un arresto (or simply 'arrestar'). Spanish speakers usually use 'realizar' (to carry out) or the verb 'arrestar' (to arrest) instead of 'hacer' (to make).

Confusing Worry with Capture

The most common mistake is using a word for 'capture' (like arresto or detención) when you mean 'worry' (preocupación). Remember that 'preocupación' is about a feeling, while 'arresto' and 'detención' are about a physical act of capture.

Related Translations

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