Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say "Worried" in Spanish: Preocupado and Preocuparse
Preocupado · adjective · preh-oh-koo-PAH-doh
Worried in Spanish is preocupado/preocupada (the adjective state) or expressed through the verb preocuparse (to worry oneself). Me preocupa algo means something worries me, using the same indirect-object structure as gustar.
preh-oh-koo-PAH-doh — five syllables, stress on PAH. Feminine: preocupada.
Estoy preocupado por los resultados del examen médico.
I'm worried about the medical exam results.
Worried in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for worried, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| preocupado | worried | preh-oh-koo-PAH-doh | Default, widely understood |
| inquieto | worried | Universal (restless, uneasy) | |
| angustiado | worried | Universal (distressed, anguished) |
How Native Speakers Use Preocupado
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Being worried (state)
Mi madre siempre está preocupada cuando viajo solo.
My mother is always worried when I travel alone.
Estar + preocupado/a describes the ongoing emotional state of worry.
What worries you (me preocupa)
Me preocupa que no hayas dormido en dos días.
It worries me that you haven't slept in two days.
Me preocupa + que/noun follows the gustar pattern — the thing causing worry is the grammatical subject.
Telling someone not to worry
No te preocupes, todo va a salir bien.
Don't worry, everything's going to be fine.
No te preocupes is one of the most common reassurance phrases in Spanish.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Preocupado
Using ser preocupado instead of estar preocupado
Incorrect: Soy preocupado por mi trabajo.
Correct: Estoy preocupado por mi trabajo.
Worry is a temporary state (estar), not an identity (ser). However, ser preocupón means being a worrier by nature — a different adjective entirely.
Saying me preocupo instead of me preocupa
Incorrect: Me preocupo el futuro. (mixing structures)
Correct: Me preocupa el futuro. (it worries me) / Me preocupo por el futuro. (I worry about)
Two structures exist: me preocupa algo (something worries me, thing = subject) and me preocupo por algo (I worry about something, I = subject). Don't mix them.
Lock in Worried 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 Preocupado used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using preocupado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Estoy preocupado por los resultados del examen médico. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Worried in Spanish
- How do you say worried in Spanish?
- Worried is preocupado (masculine) or preocupada (feminine). Use with estar: estoy preocupado/a. The verb is preocuparse (to worry): no te preocupes (don't worry). Me preocupa = it worries me.
- What's the difference between preocupado and inquieto?
- Preocupado is worried (mental concern about something specific). Inquieto is restless or uneasy (a more physical, agitated state). You can be preocupado while sitting still, but inquieto implies fidgeting or inability to relax.
- How do you say don't worry in Spanish?
- No te preocupes (informal) or no se preocupe (formal). Other options: tranquilo/tranquila (calm down/relax), no pasa nada (it's nothing/no worries), descuida (don't worry about it).