Inklingo

How to Say "concern" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “concern” is “preocupación” — use this word for a specific issue, topic, or problem that is causing worry or is a priority.

preocupaciónB1

Use this word for a specific issue, topic, or problem that is causing worry or is a priority.

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inquietud🔊B1

Use this for a feeling of unease, anxiety, or worry about a situation or its future.

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alarma🔊B1

Choose this word for a general sense of alarm, widespread worry, or a public outcry about something.

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asunto🔊B1

Use this when 'concern' refers to a matter, issue, or topic that needs attention or is being dealt with.

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interésA1

Use this when 'concern' means something that matters to you, affects you, or you are interested in.

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importan🔊A1

This verb form translates 'concern' when it means 'to matter' or 'to be important' to someone.

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incumbencia🔊B2

Use this when 'concern' refers to something that is your responsibility, business, or falls under your jurisdiction.

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English → Spanish

preocupación

nounB1general
Use this word for a specific issue, topic, or problem that is causing worry or is a priority.

Examples

La seguridad de los datos es nuestra principal preocupación.

Data security is our main concern.

inquietud

een-kye-TOODiŋkjeˈtuð

nounB1general
Use this for a feeling of unease, anxiety, or worry about a situation or its future.
A child sitting on a wooden bench, looking down with their chin in their hands and a small rain cloud floating over their head.

Examples

Siento una gran inquietud por el futuro de la empresa.

I feel a great concern about the future of the company.

Su inquietud intelectual lo llevó a estudiar tres carreras.

His intellectual curiosity led him to study three degrees.

El niño mostraba mucha inquietud y no paraba de moverse.

The child showed a lot of restlessness and wouldn't stop moving.

The '-tud' Gender Rule

Most Spanish words ending in '-tud' are feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with this word (la inquietud).

Plural Use

When you use the plural 'inquietudes', it often refers to a person's interests, hobbies, or specific worries they have.

Confusing it with 'unquiet'

Mistake: “Thinking it only means 'noise' or 'loudness'.”

Correction: While related to 'quiet', in Spanish it refers more to a lack of peace in the mind or body, not necessarily volume.

alarma

ah-LAHR-mahaˈlaɾma

nounB1general
Choose this word for a general sense of alarm, widespread worry, or a public outcry about something.
A cartoon drawing of a young child looking very scared, with wide eyes and their hands held up near their chest.

Examples

La caída de la bolsa causó una gran alarma social.

The stock market crash caused great social alarm (worry).

El doctor dijo que no había motivo para la alarma.

The doctor said there was no cause for alarm.

Trató de no mostrar alarma ante la situación.

He tried not to show panic (alarm) given the situation.

Using 'Causar'

When talking about an event creating this feeling, use the verb 'causar' (to cause): 'El ruido causó alarma entre los vecinos'.

asunto

ah-SOON-tohaˈsunto

nounB1general
Use this when 'concern' refers to a matter, issue, or topic that needs attention or is being dealt with.
A focused character carrying a massive, towering stack of colorful folders marked with simple abstract symbols, representing pending business or matters to resolve.

Examples

Tengo que resolver un asunto personal esta tarde.

I have to take care of a personal matter this afternoon.

La falta de agua es un asunto muy grave en esta región.

The lack of water is a very serious issue in this region.

No te metas en mis asuntos.

Don't meddle in my business/affairs.

Confusing with 'Negocio'

Mistake: “Using 'negocio' for any kind of 'business' you have to do. 'Negocio' is almost always about commerce or a company.”

Correction: If you mean a personal task or issue, use 'asunto'. Say 'Tengo un asunto importante' (I have an important matter), not 'Tengo un negocio importante' unless you're talking about a business deal.

interés

nounA1general
Use this when 'concern' means something that matters to you, affects you, or you are interested in.

Examples

¿Tienes interés en aprender a bailar salsa?

Do you have any interest in learning to dance salsa?

importan

eem-por-TAHNim.poɾˈtan

verbA1general
This verb form translates 'concern' when it means 'to matter' or 'to be important' to someone.
A single, small, bright red glowing pebble resting prominently on a simple wooden pedestal, surrounded by many dull gray pebbles on the ground, symbolizing significance.

Examples

Los pequeños detalles siempre importan.

The small details always matter.

Para mí, sus palabras no me importan en absoluto.

For me, their words don't matter at all.

The 'Gustar' Structure

When using 'importar' to mean 'to matter,' the item that matters is the grammatical subject. Since 'importan' is plural, the thing(s) that matter must be plural: 'Los regalos (subject) importan (verb) a ella (indirect object).'

Directly Addressing People

This form 'importan' is used when speaking formally (Ustedes) or about a group of people (Ellos/Ellas) in the present tense: 'Ustedes importan la paz.' (You all value peace.)

Confusing the Subject

Mistake: “Yo importan la opinión. (I matter the opinion.)”

Correction: La opinión me importa. (The opinion matters to me.) Remember, the thing that matters is the subject, and the person affected is the object (me/te/le/nos/os/les).

incumbencia

een-koom-BEN-syahiŋkumˈbenθja

nounB2formal
Use this when 'concern' refers to something that is your responsibility, business, or falls under your jurisdiction.
A gardener carefully watering a small, vibrant green plant in a pot.

Examples

Ese asunto no es de mi incumbencia.

That matter is none of my concern.

La educación de los hijos es incumbencia de los padres.

The education of children is the parents' responsibility.

Eso queda fuera de tu incumbencia profesional.

That falls outside of your professional duties.

Using 'de' for Belonging

This word is almost always used with the word 'de' (of) to show who the responsibility belongs to, like 'es de mi incumbencia' (it is of my concern).

Don't use 'negocio' for 'business'

Mistake: “Using 'no es mi negocio' to say 'it's none of my business.'”

Correction: Say 'no es de mi incumbencia' or 'no es asunto mío'. 'Negocio' usually refers to a shop or a commercial deal.

Preocupación vs. Inquietud

Learners often confuse 'preocupación' and 'inquietud'. Use 'preocupación' for a specific problem or topic that worries you, like 'data security'. Use 'inquietud' for a general feeling of anxiety or unease about a situation's future, like 'concern for the company's future'.

Related Translations

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