Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Don't Worry in Spanish
No te preocupes · phrase · noh teh preh-oh-KOO-pehs
No te preocupes is the most common informal way to tell someone not to worry in Spanish. It uses the negative tú command of the reflexive verb preocuparse. For formal contexts, switch to no se preocupe.
noh teh preh-oh-KOO-pehs
No te preocupes, todo va a salir bien.
Don't worry, everything is going to be fine.
Don't worry in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for don't worry, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| no te preocupes | don't worry | noh teh preh-oh-KOO-pehs | Default, widely understood |
| no se preocupe | don't worry | formal (usted) | |
| tranquilo/a | don't worry | calm down, relax | |
| no pasa nada | don't worry | it's no big deal |
How Native Speakers Use No te preocupes
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Reassuring a friend
No te preocupes por el examen, estudiaste mucho.
Don't worry about the exam, you studied a lot.
Informal tú command used among friends or peers.
Formal reassurance
No se preocupe, señora, su paquete llegará mañana.
Don't worry, ma'am, your package will arrive tomorrow.
Formal usted command appropriate for customer service or speaking to elders.
Casual dismissal
—Perdón por llegar tarde. —Tranquilo, no pasa nada.
—Sorry for arriving late. —Relax, it's no big deal.
Tranquilo and no pasa nada are breezy alternatives that minimize concern.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using No te preocupes
Mixing tú and usted forms
Incorrect: No se preocupes.
Correct: No te preocupes. / No se preocupe.
The reflexive pronoun and verb ending must match: te + preocupes (tú) or se + preocupe (usted).
Using indicative instead of subjunctive
Incorrect: No te preocupas.
Correct: No te preocupes.
Negative informal commands require the subjunctive form (preocupes), not the indicative (preocupas).
Why Don't worry Matters in Spanish-Speaking Cultures
Lock in Don't worry 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 No te preocupes used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using no te preocupes in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear No te preocupes, todo va a salir bien. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Don't worry in Spanish
- How do I say 'don't worry about it' in Spanish?
- You can say no te preocupes por eso (informal) or no se preocupe por eso (formal). No pasa nada also works as a casual dismissal.
- What is the difference between no te preocupes and tranquilo?
- No te preocupes directly translates as don't worry, while tranquilo means calm or relax. Both reassure, but tranquilo is shorter and more casual.
- Can I use no te preocupes with anyone?
- Use no te preocupes with people you address as tú (friends, family, peers). With strangers, elders, or in professional settings, use no se preocupe.