How to Say "panicked" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “panicked” is “histérico” — B1 level.
Examples
La madre se puso histérica cuando no vio a su hijo en el parque.
The mother got hysterical when she didn't see her son in the park.
¡No te pongas histérico! Todo tiene solución.
Don't get hysterical! Everything has a solution.
Hubo un griterío histérico cuando la estrella de cine salió del hotel.
There was a hysterical shouting when the movie star left the hotel.
Using 'Ponerse' for mood changes
To say someone 'gets' hysterical, we use the verb 'ponerse'. This shows that the person wasn't hysterical before, but a specific event changed their state.
Gender and Number matching
Because this word describes a person or thing, it must change its ending. Use 'histérico' for a man or a masculine object, and 'histérica' for a woman or a feminine object.
The 'Funny' False Friend
Mistake: “Using 'histérico' to mean 'hilarious' or 'very funny.'”
Correction: In English, 'hysterical' can mean 'funny,' but in Spanish, it almost always refers to being upset or panicked. Use 'hilarante' or 'muy gracioso' for things that make you laugh.
Related Translations
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