How to Say "to concern" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to concern” is “preocupar” — use 'preocupar' when 'to concern' means to cause someone to feel anxious or troubled about something..
preocupar
/pre-oh-koo-par//pɾeokuˈpaɾ/
Examples
Tu salud me preocupa mucho.
Your health worries me a lot.
No quiero preocupar a mis padres con mis problemas.
I don't want to worry my parents with my problems.
Lo que más preocupa a los expertos es el cambio climático.
What concerns experts the most is climate change.
The 'Gustar' Structure
This verb often works like 'gustar.' If you want to say 'The exam worries me,' you say 'Me preocupa el examen.' The thing that causes the worry is the boss of the sentence.
Worrying Someone Else
When you are the cause of worry for another person, use 'preocupar' directly: 'La noticia preocupó a todos' (The news worried everyone).
Missing the 'a' with people
Mistake: “Preocupo mi madre.”
Correction: Preocupo a mi madre. In Spanish, when a person receives the action directly, we usually put a small 'a' before them.
concernir
/kon-ser-NEER//konθerˈnir/
Examples
Esto no le concierne a usted.
This doesn't concern you.
En lo que a mí concierne, el trato está cerrado.
As far as I'm concerned, the deal is closed.
Las nuevas leyes conciernen a todos los ciudadanos.
The new laws involve all citizens.
The 'Gustar' Connection
This word works like 'gustar.' The thing that is relevant is the subject, and the person it affects is mentioned with a 'le' or 'les' (e.g., 'Esto le concierne a ella' means 'This concerns her').
Mostly Used in the Third Person
While it has full conjugations, you will almost exclusively see it in the singular (concierne) or plural (conciernen) forms. It's rare to hear someone say 'I concern'.
Don't use it for 'Feeling Worried'
Mistake: “Estoy concernido por el examen.”
Correction: Estoy preocupado por el examen.
respectar
/rreh-spehk-TAR//respekˈtaɾ/
Examples
En lo que respecta a la economía, el país está mejorando.
As far as the economy is concerned, the country is improving.
Este asunto no me respecta a mí.
This matter does not concern me.
Debemos analizar todo lo que respecta a la seguridad del edificio.
We must analyze everything relating to the security of the building.
Mostly used in the 3rd person
While you can technically conjugate this verb in all forms, it is almost always used in the forms 'respecta' (it concerns) or 'respectan' (they concern).
Respectar vs. Respetar
Do not confuse this with 'respetar' (to show respect). Use 'respectar' only when talking about how one thing connects or relates to another.
Using 'respectar' for personal admiration
Mistake: “Respecto mucho a mi abuelo.”
Correction: Respeto mucho a mi abuelo. (Use 'respetar' without the 'c' when you mean showing respect to a person).
incumbir
/een-koom-BEER//inkumˈbiɾ/
Examples
Eso no te incumbe a ti.
That doesn't concern you / That's none of your business.
Incumbe al director tomar la decisión final.
It is the director's responsibility to make the final decision.
Esta es una tarea que nos incumbe a todos los ciudadanos.
This is a task that concerns all of us as citizens.
The 'Gustar' Pattern
Incumbir is often used with little words like 'me,' 'te,' 'le,' and 'nos' to show who is being concerned. Just like 'gustar,' the thing causing the concern is the subject.
Using the Personal 'a'
When you specify exactly who is concerned, you must use the 'a' before them. For example: 'Incumbe a la policía' (It is the responsibility of the police).
Forgetting the 'A' preposition
Mistake: “Esto incumbe los padres.”
Correction: Esto incumbe a los padres. (You always need 'a' before the person who is being concerned/responsible.)
Worry vs. Relevance
Related Translations
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