me asustaste
/me asustaste/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you scared me" is translated into Spanish as me asustaste.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they surprised you or made you feel afraid.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me asustaste is composed of the direct object pronoun me (me) and the second-person singular preterite form of asustar (you scared).
Which one should you use?
Use me asustaste specifically when addressing a single person (tú) who caused the fright.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Me espantaste is a common way to say "You scared me". In Spain, one might say Me has dado un susto de muerte, ¡qué miedo! to express fear or surprise.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address someone with respect in formal settings, you would use me asustó usted instead of me asustaste. Other variations include Me has dado un buen susto (You gave me a good scare) and Me has asustado un montón (You scared me a lot).
How do you pronounce it?
/me asustaste/
Did you know?
- The verb asustar shares a root with susto, which in some Latin American cultures refers to a specific folk illness caused by a traumatic fright that separates the soul from the body.
- The word espanto, which is related to the verb in me espantaste, can also be used to describe a ghost or a supernatural apparition.
- The phrase dar un susto treats the feeling of fear as a physical object that is being handed to you.
Examples in context
- Me asustaste cuando entraste de repente al cuarto.You scared me when you came in the room all of a sudden.This sentence shows how to use me asustaste when someone enters a room unexpectedly.Tatoeba #3805666 by cueyayotl, translation #9947715 by DJ_Saidez
- Me asustaste tanto que me hice un poco.You scared me so much I peed myself a little.This sentence uses me asustaste to show the intensity of the fright.Tatoeba #10061662 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10061663 by DJ_Saidez
- ¡Usted me ha dado un susto!You scared me!
- Me pegaste un susto de muerte, amigo/a!You scared me to death, friend!
- ¡No grites, me asustaste!Don't shout, you scared me!
Example conversation
Elena enters the dark living room unexpectedly.
- Javier¡Ay! Me asustaste, Elena.Oh! You scared me, Elena.
- ElenaLo siento, no quería darte un susto.I'm sorry, I didn't want to give you a fright.
- JavierEs que todo está muy oscuro.It's just that everything is very dark.
- ElenaPerdóname, encenderé la luz ahora.Forgive me, I'll turn on the light now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
