Inklingo

How to Say "dread" in Spanish

English → Spanish

miedo

/myeh-doh//ˈmje.ðo/

nounA2general
Use 'miedo' when expressing a general, often immediate or instinctual fear or apprehension about something specific.
A small, wide-eyed child is huddled under a brightly colored blanket, looking nervously at the floor where long, exaggerated blue shadows are cast by an unseen light source.

Examples

Tengo miedo de la oscuridad.

I'm afraid of the dark.

El niño gritó de miedo al ver el monstruo.

The child screamed with fear upon seeing the monster.

No tengas miedo, es solo un perro pequeño.

Don't be afraid, it's just a small dog.

Using 'Tener' for Fear

In Spanish, you don't 'are' afraid, you 'have' fear. Always use the verb tener (to have). For example, 'Tengo miedo' (I have fear) literally, means 'I am afraid'.

Saying What You're Afraid OF

To say what you're afraid of, use tener miedo a or tener miedo de. Both are correct! For example, Tengo miedo a las arañas or Tengo miedo de las arañas both mean 'I'm afraid of spiders'.

Saying 'Soy miedo'

Mistake: “A common mistake is saying 'Soy miedo' to mean 'I am afraid'.”

Correction: The correct way is 'Tengo miedo'. Remember, in Spanish, fear is something you *have*, not something you *are*.

terror

teh-ROHR/teˈror/

nounB1general
Opt for 'terror' when the feeling is an intense, overwhelming, and often sudden wave of fear, closer to horror.
A small, simple character with very wide eyes and a distressed expression is clutching their face with their hands, illustrating extreme, intense fear.

Examples

El terremoto causó un terror generalizado entre la población.

The earthquake caused widespread terror among the population.

Sentí un terror horrible cuando se apagaron todas las luces.

I felt a horrible dread when all the lights went out.

La película de terror me mantuvo despierto toda la noche.

The horror movie kept me awake all night.

Using 'Tener' vs. 'Sentir'

You can use the verb 'tener' (to have) or 'sentir' (to feel) with 'terror': 'Tengo terror' (I have terror) or 'Siento terror' (I feel terror). Both are very common.

Gender Error

Mistake: “La terror”

Correction: El terror. Although it ends in '-or', 'terror' is always a masculine noun, so use 'el' or 'un'.

temor

teh-MOR/teˈmoɾ/

nounB2general
Choose 'temor' for a deeper, more profound, or prolonged sense of apprehension, especially when anticipating something negative.
A small child with wide eyes peeking nervously from behind a large green bush, showing apprehension.

Examples

El temor a lo desconocido es una emoción humana natural.

The fear of the unknown is a natural human emotion.

La decisión fue tomada con gran temor, pero era necesaria.

The decision was made with great dread, but it was necessary.

Sentía temor de fracasar después de tanto esfuerzo.

He felt fear of failing after so much effort.

Using Prepositions

When expressing the source of the fear, 'temor' usually connects using the preposition 'a' or 'de'. Example: 'temor a la oscuridad' (fear of the dark).

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “La temor”

Correction: El temor. Even though many words ending in '-or' are feminine, 'temor' is masculine (like 'el amor' or 'el color').

Miedo vs. Temor

Learners often confuse 'miedo' and 'temor'. Remember that 'miedo' is more about immediate or general fear, while 'temor' implies a deeper, more sustained apprehension, often about future events or abstract concepts.

Related Translations

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