Whats the difference between tengo miedo and estoy asustado?

Question

Whats the difference between tengo miedo and estoy asustado?

Answer 1

Well, they are certainly close cousins in meaning,
It's similar to asking what is the difference between "I am scared" and :I am frightened." Some people may have a personal preference, some people interpret "scared" as a more serious response over "frightened".

The base word "miedo" in Spanish does mean fear, whereas the base word of "susto" means fright.

"Fear" may be a more violent response than "fright", but - once again, the meanings are very close and unless you need to be 100% accurately precise, either one will get the message across.

Answer 2

tengo miedo. always (siempre, muy seguido, constantemente) estoy asustado. right now (ahorita, ahora mismo, en este momento)

• No exactly right, Paco. - --Mariana-- Oct 28, 2011

Answer 3

I agree with Mountaingirl.

A few examples:

Tengo miedo (because I don't want to walk through the dark woods at night)

Los perros me dan miedo. (Dogs scare/frighten me)

Estoy asustado (because my little brother just jumped out of the closet and scared me)

¡Me asustaste! (You scared/frightened me! )

• perros - MrSillyInc Oct 28, 2011
• Gracias! - --Mariana-- Oct 28, 2011