tengo miedo
/tenɡo mjedo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase for "I am scared" is tengo miedo.
Tengo miedo is a common way to say "I am scared." You might also use Me da miedo to express that something "makes you scared" or "gives you fear."
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tengo miedo literally translates to "I have fear."
Which one should you use?
While tengo miedo expresses the feeling of fear, estoy asustado/a is used to describe the state of being startled or suddenly frightened.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the colloquial expression Tengo canguelo is used to express being scared. In Mexico, the phrase Tengo pavor means "I am terrified" or "I am scared to death."
How does it change in a sentence?
Because this phrase uses the verb tener (to have), you must conjugate it to match the subject. For "I", use tengo. When expressing what you are afraid of, use the preposition de after miedo, as seen in the phrase tener miedo de भनेर.
How do you pronounce it?
/tenɡo mjedo/
Did you know?
- The word miedo shares an unexpected ancestor with the English word 'meticulous'. Both stem from the Latin 'metus', which refers to a sense of fear or dread.
- To describe someone who is naturally a 'scaredy-cat', Spanish uses the word miedoso, turning the noun for fear into a personality trait.
- While tengo miedo is general, the Spanish word pavor is often used in literature to describe a paralyzing, existential dread that goes beyond simple fear.
Examples in context
- Tengo miedo de eso.I am scared of that.This sentence is useful for expressing what you are afraid of using tengo miedo.Tatoeba #6813356 by arh, translation #9439032 by Truthwatch3r
- Tengo miedo de los perros.I am scared of dogs.
- Me da miedo volar en avión.Flying in an airplane scares me.
- Tengo miedo de perder mi empleo.I am scared of losing my job.
- Me encuentro asustada por la situación actual.I find myself scared due to the current situation.
- Tengo pavor de las serpientes.I am scared to death of snakes.
- Tengo miedo de la oscuridad.I am scared of the dark.
- No llores, yo no tengo miedo.Don't cry, I am not scared.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are watching a horror movie at home.
- DanielMaría, apaga la televisión, tengo miedo.María, turn off the television, I am scared.
- MaríaNo seas cobarde, Daniel.Don't be a coward, Daniel.
- DanielEs que la película es muy fuerte.It's just that the movie is very intense.
- MaríaEstá bien, yo te protejo.It's okay, I will protect you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries miedo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
