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"Asustarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to get frightened", and "temer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to fear". Learn more about the difference between "asustarse" and "temer" below.
asustarse(
ah
-
soos
-
tahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to get frightened
Nos asustamos muchísimo con la explosión de la bomba.We got terribly frightened when the bomb went off.
a. to get worried
Me asusté cuando me di cuenta de que era tarde y María todavía no había llegado.I got worried when I realized that it was late, and María had not arrived yet.
asustar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to alarm)
a. to startle
Un grito espeluznante la asustó mientras dormía.A bloodcurdling scream startled her awake.
temer(
teh
-
mehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to dread)
a. to fear
"Yo no le temo a la muerte", dijo el temerario motociclista."I don't fear death," said the daredevil motorcyclist.
"No hay nada que temer", dijo el mago."There's nothing to fear," said the magician.
b. to be afraid of
Mi hermanito le teme a la oscuridad porque cree en los fantasmas.My little brother is afraid of the dark because he believes in ghosts.
2. (to suspect)
a. to be afraid
Temo que vas a tener que hacer otro pastel. Este se quemó.I'm afraid you'll have to make a new cake. This one is burned.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
3. (to dread)
a. to be afraid
No temas, hijo. Solo fue una pesadilla.Don't be afraid, son. It was just a nightmare.
temerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
4. (to regret)
b. to fear
Me temo que tiene razón sobre el resultado del partido.I fear he is right about the score of the game.
