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How to Say "worried" in Spanish

English → Spanish

preocupado

/preh-oh-koo-PAH-doh//pɾe.o.kuˈpaðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'preocupado' when you are feeling anxiety or concern about a specific situation or person.
A storybook illustration of a small child sitting alone, hugging their knees, looking down with a slight frown, conveying worry.

Examples

Mi hermano está muy preocupado por su entrevista de trabajo.

My brother is very worried about his job interview.

Si estás preocupada (femenino), deberías hablar con alguien.

If you are concerned, you should talk to someone.

Los padres estaban preocupados por la baja nota de su hijo.

The parents were worried about their son's low grade.

Ella ha preocupado a sus amigos con su silencio.

She has worried her friends with her silence.

Agreement is Key

Since 'preocupado' is a descriptive word (an adjective), its ending must match the person or thing it describes in both gender and number: 'preocupado' (m.), 'preocupada' (f.), 'preocupados' (m. plural), 'preocupadas' (f. plural).

Use 'Estar' for States

When talking about how someone feels right now (a temporary state), you must use the verb 'estar' (to be) before 'preocupado,' not 'ser.' For example: 'Estoy preocupado' (I am worried).

Forming Perfect Tenses

This form ('preocupado') is combined with the verb 'haber' (to have) to create compound tenses like the present perfect ('ha preocupado' - has worried). When used this way, the ending never changes, remaining 'preocupado' regardless of who is doing the worrying.

Missing Agreement

Mistake: “Mi madre está preocupado.”

Correction: Mi madre está preocupada. (The ending must change to '-a' because 'madre' is feminine.)

Using the Wrong 'To Be'

Mistake: “Yo soy preocupado.”

Correction: Yo estoy preocupado. (Use 'estar' for temporary emotions, not 'ser,' which is for permanent traits.)

ansioso

/ahn-SYOH-soh//anˈsjo.so/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'ansioso' to describe a state of eager anticipation mixed with nervousness or unease about something in the future.
A small, wide-eyed rabbit sitting alone, gripping its paws tightly, conveying a feeling of worry and nervousness.

Examples

Mi hermana está ansiosa por su entrevista de trabajo mañana.

My sister is anxious about her job interview tomorrow.

Estábamos ansiosos esperando la llamada del médico.

We were anxiously waiting for the doctor's call.

Adjective Agreement

Like all Spanish adjectives, 'ansioso' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'ansioso' (masculine singular), 'ansiosa' (feminine singular), 'ansiosos' (masculine plural), 'ansiosas' (feminine plural).

Confusing 'Anxious' Meanings

Mistake: “Using 'ansioso' when you simply mean 'eager' (Definition 2) but forgetting the preposition.”

Correction: When meaning 'worried,' you often use 'ansioso POR' + noun. When meaning 'eager,' it's common to use 'ansioso POR' or 'ansioso DE' + infinitive.

preocupado

Past ParticipleB1General
Use 'preocupado' as a past participle after 'haber' to form compound tenses, indicating that someone or something has caused worry.

Examples

Ella ha preocupado a sus amigos con su silencio.

She has worried her friends with her silence.

Ansioso vs. Preocupado

Learners often confuse 'ansioso' and 'preocupado'. Remember that 'preocupado' is a general feeling of worry or concern, while 'ansioso' often implies a more eager, though still nervous, anticipation of something to come.

Related Translations

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