What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a reflexive construction where te (yourself) indicates that the person is the object of the worry, literally meaning 'do not worry yourself'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the colloquial phrase no te rayes is used to express 'do not worry'. In some Latin American countries, particularly in the Southern Cone and the Andean region, no se apure is used to mean 'do not worry'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use no se preocupe instead of no te preocupes when speaking to someone you address as usted to maintain formal politeness. In Spain, use no os preocupéis when telling a group of people you are on informal terms with not to worry. In Latin America, use no se preocupen when addressing a group of people, regardless of formality. When specifying the cause of the worry, use the preposition por after the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
/no te pɾeokupes/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the slang no te rayes refers to the sound of a scratched vinyl record that gets stuck on a loop, suggesting that worrying is like a repeating, broken record in the mind.
- The verb preocuparse is built from pre meaning 'before' and ocupar meaning 'to occupy'. This suggests that worrying is the act of letting a future event occupy your mind before it actually happens.
- While no te preocupes offers comfort, Spanish uses the specific verb despreocuparse to describe the active process of intentionally letting go of a worry to become carefree.
Examples in context
- ¡No te preocupes por eso!Do not worry about that!This sentence shows how to use no te preocupes with the preposition por to specify a concern.Tatoeba #1721396 by marcelostockle, translation #1726093 by belgavox
- No te preocupes demasiado.Do not worry too much.This sentence uses no te preocupes to suggest not worrying excessively.Tatoeba #13119220 by overcooked, translation #13117523 by overcooked
- Cuando termine su presentación, no se preocupe, estaré encantado de responder sus preguntas.When you finish your presentation, do not worry, I will be happy to answer your questions.
- No se preocupe usted, nos encargaremos de resolver el problema de inmediato.Do not worry, we will take care of resolving the problem immediately.
- No se inquiete, su solicitud será revisada con máxima prioridad.Do not worry, your request will be reviewed with the highest priority.
- ¡No te preocupes! Yo me encargaré de comprar las entradas para el concierto.Do not worry! I will take care of buying the concert tickets.
- ¡Tranquilo, todo estará bien! No tenemos prisa.Don't worry, everything will be fine! We're not in a hurry.
- No se apure, señora, le explicaré paso a paso el funcionamiento del nuevo sistema.Do not worry, ma'am, I will explain the operation of the new system step by step.
- ¡No te rayes, hombre! Todo saldrá bien al final.Don't worry, man! Everything will turn out fine in the end.
- No te preocupes por el examen.Do not worry about the exam.
Example conversation
Alejandro is apologizing to María for being late to their meeting.
- AlejandroLo siento mucho, María, llegué tarde.I am very sorry, María, I arrived late.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, Alejandro, no pasa nada.Do not worry, Alejandro, it is nothing.
- Alejandro¿Estás realmente enojada conmigo?Are you really angry with me?
- MaríaNo, todo está bien.No, everything is fine.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
