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"A" is a preposition which is often translated as "to", and "tener miedo de" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be scared of". Learn more about the difference between "a" and "tener miedo de" below.
a, la a(
ah
)A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Podía respirar a duras penas.He was hardly able to breathe.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡A fregar los platos!Go do the dishes!
¡A la cama!Off to bed!
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me encantaría ganar dinero a espuertas.I would love to earn lots of money.
Llovía a cántaros.It was pouring.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or group of words (e.g., "UFO" = "unidentified flying object"; "p." = "page").
a. A
El circuito transporta una corriente de 1 A.The circuit carries a current of 1 A.
La intensidad de la corriente eléctrica se mide en A.The intensity of an electric current is measured in A.
tener miedo de(
teh
-
nehr
myeh
-
doh
deh
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
1. (general)
a. to be scared of
Tengo miedo de las cucarachas. - ¿Por qué? Son inofensivas.I'm scared of cockroaches. - Why? They're harmless.
b. to be scared
Tengo miedo de que alguien descubra que tenemos un affaire.I'm scared that somebody will find out we're having an affair.
c. to be afraid of
¡Venga, salta! - ¡No! Tengo miedo de caerme.Come on, jump! - No! I'm afraid of falling.
d. to be afraid
María tiene miedo de que su matrimonio no funcione.Maria is afraid her marriage won't work out.
e. to be afraid to
¿No lo puedes hacer más rápido? - Tengo miedo de equivocarme.Can't you do it more quickly? - I'm afraid to make a mistake.
f. to be frightened of
El matón ese es muy fuerte, y los niños tienen mucho miedo de él.That thug is very strong, and the children are very frightened of him.
g. to be frightened
¿Por qué trabaja Pedro tantas horas? - Porque tiene miedo de perder el trabajo.Why does Pedro work such long hours? - Because he's frightened he's going to lose his job.
h. to fear
Mis padres no quieren que viaje. Tienen miedo de que me pase algo malo.My parents don't want me to travel. They fear that something bad will happen to me.
