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"Espantarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to get frightened", and "tener miedo" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be afraid". Learn more about the difference between "espantarse" and "tener miedo" below.
espantarse(
ehs
-
pahn
-
tahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to get frightened
El perro se espantó con los fuegos artificiales.The dog got frightened by the fireworks.
a. to be frightened away
¡Estas moscas no se espantan fácilmente!These flies are not easily frightened away!
a. to be appalled
Vas a espantarte cuando veas el estado de la cocina.You'll be appalled when you see the state the kitchen is in.
espantar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to frighten away
Estas velas sirven para espantar a los mosquitos.These candles frighten away mosquitoes.
6. (to horrify)
a. to appall
El aumento en el nivel de delincuencia en el barrio está espantando a la comunidad.The community is appalled by the increasing crime levels in the neighborhood.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be scary
Espanta pensar lo que podría haber ocurrido en aquel sótano.It's scary to think what might have happened in that basement.
tener miedo(
teh
-
nehr
myeh
-
doh
)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)
b. to be scared
Tenía demasiado miedo para ver los resultados de su prueba.She was too scared to look at her test results.
