entrar en pánico
/entɾaɾ en paniko/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'to panic' is translated into Spanish as entrar en pánico.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, entrar en pánico translates to 'to enter into panic'.
Which one should you use?
While entrar en pánico implies a state of sudden, intense and often irrational fear, the term asustarse is a more general way to say 'to get scared' or to be startled or frightened.
Did you know?
- The word pánico shares the same Greek origin as the English 'panic', relating to the god Pan, whose sudden shouts caused terror in the woods.
- In some Spanish speaking regions, a state of extreme panic or shock is described as quedarse en blanco, which literally means 'to stay in white'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, if someone is acting irrationally due to panic, people might say they are fuera de sí, which literally means 'outside of oneself'.
Examples in context
- Tom estaba tratando de no entrar en pánico.Tom was trying not to panic.This sentence shows how to express the intention of not panicking with entrar en pánico.Tatoeba #1794944 by marcelostockle, translation #1092322 by CK
- No hay que entrar en pánico.There's no need to panic.This sentence is useful for expressing that there is no need to panic using entrar en pánico.Tatoeba #6803535 by mervert1, translation #2564749 by Hybrid
- María entró en pánico cuando se dio cuenta de que había perdido su billetera.Maria panicked when she realized she had lost her wallet.
- Encontrarse en medio de una multitud desconocida puede hacer que algunas personas sientan pánico.Being in the middle of an unknown crowd can make some people feel panic.
- Los pasajeros se desesperaron cuando el avión comenzó a agitarse inesperadamente.The passengers panicked when the plane started shaking unexpectedly.
- Antes de hacer una presentación, siempre me pongo nerviosa y siento un poco de pánico.Before giving a presentation, I always get nervous and feel a bit of panic.
- Es normal entrar en pánico durante un examen.It is normal to panic during an exam.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are hiking when they realize they are lost.
- LucíaNo sé por dónde volver, Alejandro.I don't know which way to go back, Alejandro.
- AlejandroTranquila, Lucía, no debemos entrar en pánico.Calm down, Lucía, we must not panic.
- Lucía¿Cómo no voy a entrar en pánico si está oscureciendo?How am I not going to panic if it is getting dark?
- AlejandroSi entramos en pánico, tomaremos malas decisiones.If we panic, we will make bad decisions.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
