Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say "Anxiety" in Spanish: Ansiedad
Ansiedad · noun (feminine) · ahn-see-eh-DAHD
Anxiety in Spanish is ansiedad (ahn-see-eh-DAHD). It serves as both the clinical/psychological term and the everyday word for feeling anxious. The adjective is ansioso/ansiosa (anxious). For the clinical condition, trastorno de ansiedad (anxiety disorder) is the standard term.
ahn-see-eh-DAHD — four syllables, stress on DAHD.
La ansiedad puede manifestarse con síntomas físicos como taquicardia.
Anxiety can manifest with physical symptoms like a rapid heartbeat.
Anxiety in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for anxiety, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| ansiedad | anxiety | ahn-see-eh-DAHD | Default, widely understood |
| angustia | anxiety | Universal (anguish, existential distress) | |
| nerviosismo | anxiety | Universal (nervousness, milder) |
How Native Speakers Use Ansiedad
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Clinical context
Le diagnosticaron trastorno de ansiedad generalizada.
She was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.
Trastorno de ansiedad is the medical/psychological term for clinical anxiety conditions.
Everyday feeling
Siento mucha ansiedad antes de hablar en público.
I feel a lot of anxiety before speaking in public.
Ansiedad in its everyday sense — the nervous, worried feeling before stressful situations.
Describing someone as anxious
Está muy ansiosa por los resultados del examen.
She's very anxious about the exam results.
Ansioso/ansiosa as the adjective — estar ansioso means to be anxious (temporary state).
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Ansiedad
Confusing ansioso (anxious) with ansioso (eager)
Incorrect: Estoy ansioso por las vacaciones. (intending anxious/worried about vacation)
Correct: Estoy ansioso por las vacaciones. (actually can mean: I'm eager for vacation)
Ansioso has two meanings in Spanish: anxious/worried AND eager/excited. Context determines which: ansioso por algo bueno = eager; ansioso por algo preocupante = anxious. Be aware of this dual nature.
Using anxiedad with an x
Incorrect: Sufre de anxiedad crónica.
Correct: Sufre de ansiedad crónica.
The Spanish spelling is ansiedad with an s, not an x. Unlike English anxiety, the Spanish word uses s. This is a common spelling error influenced by English.
Lock in Anxiety Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Ansiedad used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using ansiedad in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La ansiedad puede manifestarse con síntomas físicos como taquicardia. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Anxiety in Spanish
- How do you say anxiety in Spanish?
- Anxiety is ansiedad. The adjective anxious is ansioso/ansiosa. An anxiety disorder is trastorno de ansiedad. To say I have anxiety: tengo ansiedad or sufro de ansiedad.
- What's the difference between ansiedad and angustia?
- Ansiedad is anxiety (worry about the future, clinical nervousness). Angustia is anguish or existential distress (deeper, more emotional suffering). Ansiedad is the clinical/psychological term; angustia is more literary and philosophical.
- How do you say anxiety attack in Spanish?
- An anxiety attack is ataque de ansiedad or crisis de ansiedad. A panic attack specifically is ataque de pánico. These are the terms used in clinical settings and everyday language.