Whats the difference between asustarse and tener miedo?

Question

Whats the difference between asustarse and tener miedo?

Answer 1

I walk around in a constant state of miedo. Sometimes I even asustar myself.

got to vote for this - pacofinkler, May 24, 2011

Answer 2

"Asustarse" is an action; "tener miedo" is a state. Besides, sometimes words and terms are synonyms.

Answer 3

I have been told that tener miedo is more often used than asustarse.

No tengas miedo.

No te asustes.

I have been told by members on this very forum, that No te asustes is somewhat unusual to say in daily conversation and that No tengas miedo is better, and I would like to take this opportunity to confirm that, or negate it if the case may be.

"No te asustes" is somewhat unusual? In which part of the spanish speaking world? - Agora, May 24, 2011

That's what you guys told me. - jeezzle, May 24, 2011

Unfortunately, there are a few here, with all good intention, that atempt to speak for all of the 350 million spanish speakers in the world. - Agora, May 24, 2011

Who said that "asustarse" is unusual anyway? I've used it hundreds of times in my life. - lazarus1907, May 24, 2011

It was long ago, before Gekkosan had joined. I remembered that answer as correct but I didn't really have my "base of people whose answers are correct" established yet. So I remember it is common now. - jeezzle, May 24, 2011

I think it was someone who said "Just because you hear it in TVshows and movies a lot doesn't mean you hear it in real life". or something. - jeezzle, May 24, 2011

That is correct Jeezle There is no rule that the translators are correct,even at my level I see more than a few errors in subtitless - pacofinkler, May 24, 2011

Asustarse is more like being startled and tener miedo is to be afraid. - margaretcorwin, May 24, 2011

Answer 4

In México "no te asustes" is as common as beans and rice. "Tener miedo" is also very common. These words are not necessarily interchangeable.

Answer 5

I have been told that tener miedo is more often used than asustarse.

That's because most of the time you warn people not to be scared (tener miedo), rather than not get scared as a result of a surprise (asustarse). Again, "tener miedo" is due to some reasons, while "asustarse" is due to something that happens. Which one do you use most? To be scared or to get scared?

Answer 6

They got scared last night by a witch is ellos se asustaron anoche con una bruja

Answer 7

whats more common tener miedo or asustarse

Answer 8

Carrying on from lazarus. "asustar to me would be to to be startled or surprised,shocked or even horrified. Not to be in fear of something. If i were approached by someone with a gun miedo would take over.