Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| asustar | /asusˈtaɾ/ |
| atemorizar | /atemoɾiˈθaɾ/ /atemoɾiˈsaɾ/ |
| espantar | /espanˈtaɾ/ |
| amedrentar | /amedɾenˈtaɾ/ |
| amedrantar | /amedɾantaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| dar miedo | /ˌdaɾ ˈmjedo/ |
Spanish offers several ways to express the concept of scaring or frightening. The most common and neutral way to say 'to scare' or 'to frighten' is asustar. If you want to express that you are feeling scared or frightened yourself, you can use the phrase tener miedo, which literally means 'to have fear'. The noun susto refers to a minor fright or the sudden event of being scared.
Which one should you use?
While asustar is the standard term for the act of frightening someone, other words provide specific nuances. Espantar often means to 'scare away' (such as animals) or to 'startle' someone suddenly. Dar miedo is used to describe something that is inherently scary, such as saying 'the movie scares me', whereas asustar focuses on the act of frightening a person. If the context is about intimidating or cowing someone into submission, the formal term amedrentar is used. The variant amedrantar is also a form of this verb.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the expression agarrar el susto is used, which literally translates to 'to catch the scare'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using asustar with a specific person as the direct object, you must use the personal 'a'. For example, you would say asustar a la niña (to scare the girl).
How do you pronounce it?
/asusˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a susto is considered a medical condition where a sudden fright causes the soul to leave the body, requiring a traditional healer to treat it.
- The word asustar may be related to the Latin word substāre, which means 'to stand under', suggesting a deep historical link to the physical sensation of being frozen or standing still during a fright.
- The word espantar is the primary term used when talking about scaring birds away from crops, rather than the general term asustar.
Examples in context
- No quise asustar a Tom.I didn't want to scare Tom.This sentence shows how to use asustar to express an intention regarding a person.Tatoeba #2188334 by hayastan, translation #2012629 by CK
- Lo siento, no quería asustarte.Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.Tatoeba #9445820 by ignacio, translation #2396319 by CK
- No te preocupes, él dice eso sólo para asustarte.Don't worry. He's only saying that to scare you.Tatoeba #1001749 by Shishir, translation #10017183 by DJ_Saidez
- Ella me asustó con su máscara aterradora.She scared me with her terrifying mask.
- Tengo miedo de los payasos.I am scared of clowns.
- El ruido del trueno me da miedo.The sound of thunder scares me.
- ¡No me metas miedo con esas historias de terror!Don't scare me with those horror stories!
- Me causó mucho susto cuando el juguete comenzó a moverse solo.I got really scared when the toy started moving by itself.
- El informe sobre el estado del clima infunde miedo en la población.The climate report instills fear in the population.
- La situación actual provoca temor en todos los habitantes del pueblo.The current situation provokes fear in all the town's residents.
- ¡No me metas miedo en el cuerpo con esos ruidos en la noche!Don't scare me with those noises at night!
- ¡Qué susto!What a scare!
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena unexpectedly walks into the room where Daniel is reading.
- Elena¡Hola, Daniel!Hello, Daniel!
- Daniel¡Ay! Me vas a asustar así.Oh! You're going to scare me like that.
- ElenaPerdón, no era mi intención asustarte.Sorry, it wasn't my intention to scare you.
- DanielEstá bien, solo me sorprendiste.It's okay, you just surprised me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scare” translations and entries asustar, atemorizar, espantar, amedrentar, dar miedo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amedrentar, asustar, atemorizar, espantar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
