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How to Say "they worry" in Spanish

English → Spanish

preocupan

preh-oh-KOO-pahn/pɾeoˈkupan/

VerbA2General
Use this form when 'they' (plural subject) are the ones doing the worrying, or when something plural is causing worry to someone.
Three identical, simplified colorful storybook characters sit side-by-side, all displaying clear expressions of worry or distress, with their hands resting near their heads.

Examples

Los problemas económicos preocupan a la gente.

Economic problems worry people.

Los resultados de las elecciones me preocupan mucho.

The election results worry me a lot.

¿Esos ruidos extraños te preocupan a ti también?

Do those strange noises worry you too?

Mis padres dicen que las notas de mi hermano no les preocupan.

My parents say my brother's grades don't concern them.

Subject-Verb Agreement (Plural)

Since this form ends in '-an' (third-person plural), the things that are causing the worry must be plural (e.g., 'los ruidos,' 'las noticias,' or 'ellos').

The 'Gustar' Structure

Like the verb 'gustar' (to like), 'preocupar' is often used 'backward' in Spanish: the plural thing causing the emotion is the subject ('preocupan'), and the person feeling the emotion is the indirect object pronoun ('me', 'te', 'le', etc.).

Confusing Active vs. Reflexive

Mistake: “Using 'preocupan' when you mean 'they worry themselves' (e.g., 'Ellos preocupan por el examen').”

Correction: Use the reflexive form 'se preocupan' when the people are worrying themselves: 'Ellos se preocupan por el examen' (They worry about the exam).

preocupen

preh-oh-Koo-pen/pɾeoˈkúpen/

VerbB1General
Use this form in the subjunctive mood, typically after expressions of hope, doubt, or desire, to talk about whether 'they' might worry.
A colorful storybook illustration showing two simple, distinct figures sitting side-by-side. Both figures appear distressed, holding their heads in their hands with pronounced worried expressions.

Examples

Dudo que los niños se preocupen por la tarea.

I doubt the children worry about the homework.

Espero que los niños no se preocupen por el examen.

I hope the children don't worry about the test.

No se preocupen, todo saldrá bien.

Don't worry (you all), everything will turn out fine.

Quizás se preocupen si no llegamos a tiempo.

Maybe they will worry if we don't arrive on time.

The 'Reflexive' SE

The word 'preocupen' almost always follows the pronoun 'se' (se preocupen). This 'se' tells you that the people are doing the worrying to themselves, making it 'to worry' (instead of 'preocupar,' which means 'to worry someone else').

The Subjunctive Mood

'Preocupen' is a special verb form used when expressing wishes, doubts, emotions, or necessity about 'them' (ellos/ellas) or the formal 'you all' (ustedes). It often follows trigger words like 'Espero que' (I hope that) or 'Dudo que' (I doubt that).

Forgetting the 'SE'

Mistake: “Using 'No preocupen' for 'Don't worry.'”

Correction: The correct command is 'No se preocupen.' Always include the reflexive 'se' when telling someone not to worry.

Confusing Command Forms

Mistake: “Using 'preocupan' (present tense) in a command.”

Correction: Commands use the special form: 'No se preocupen' (command) vs. 'Ellos se preocupan' (they are worrying now). The ending changes from '-an' to '-en'.

Indicative vs. Subjunctive Mood

The most common mistake is using the indicative 'preocupan' when the subjunctive 'preocupen' is required. Remember to use 'preocupen' after phrases that express uncertainty, emotion, or desire, such as 'espero que' (I hope that) or 'dudo que' (I doubt that).

Related Translations

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