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How to Say "you worry" in Spanish

English → Spanish

preocupas

preh-oh-Koo-pahs/pɾe.oˈku.pas/

Verb (Conjugated)A2General
Use this form when directly stating that 'you worry' or 'you are worried' in the present tense, often reflexively.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a young person sitting alone on a simple bench, hunched over with their hands covering their face in a clear gesture of deep worry or concern.

Examples

¿Por qué te preocupas tanto por el examen?

Why do you worry so much about the exam?

Tú nunca te preocupas por nada, ¡qué suerte!

You never worry about anything, how lucky!

Si tú preocupas a tus padres, ellos no dormirán bien.

If you worry your parents (cause them worry), they won't sleep well.

The Reflexive Rule

When you are the one feeling the worry, you must use the little word 'te' before the verb: 'Te preocupas'. This means the action loops back to the person doing it.

Worrying Someone Else

If you are causing worry in another person, you drop the 'te': 'Tú preocupas a tu hermano' (You worry your brother). The verb is now acting directly on someone else.

Forgetting the 'te'

Mistake: “Tú preocupas mucho.”

Correction: Tú **te** preocupas mucho. (If you mean 'You worry a lot.' Without 'te', it incorrectly means 'You worry [someone else] a lot.')

preocupes

/preh-oh-KOO-pehs//pɾeoˈkupes/

VerbA1General
Use this form in the subjunctive mood, typically after expressions of doubt, emotion, wishes, or in negative commands like 'don't worry'.
A small, distressed child being comforted by a friendly adult, with a dark cloud of worry floating harmlessly away into the sky.

Examples

No te preocupes, todo va a estar bien.

Don't worry, everything is going to be okay.

Espero que no te preocupes demasiado por el examen.

I hope you don't worry too much about the exam.

Dime la verdad para que no te preocupes más.

Tell me the truth so you don't worry anymore.

Two Main Jobs: Commands and Wishes

You'll see 'preocupes' in two main situations. First, to tell a friend 'Don't worry!' (No te preocupes). Second, after phrases that express wishes, doubts, or emotions, like 'I hope that...' (Espero que no te preocupes).

The 'te' Part

'Preocupes' comes from the verb preocuparse. The se at the end means the action reflects back on the person. The te in no te preocupes means 'yourself'. So it's literally 'Don't worry yourself'.

Using 'preocupas' for a negative command

Mistake: “No te preocupas.”

Correction: No te preocupes. To tell a friend *not* to do something, Spanish uses a special verb form. For 'tú', this form often ends in '-es' for verbs that end in '-ar'.

Subjunctive vs. Indicative

The most common mistake is using the indicative 'preocupas' when the subjunctive 'preocupes' is required. Remember to use 'preocupes' after phrases like 'No...' (Don't...), 'Espero que...' (I hope that...), or 'Dudo que...' (I doubt that...).

Related Translations

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