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"Fear" is a noun which is often translated as "el miedo", and "be afraid" is a phrase which is often translated as "ten miedo". Learn more about the difference between "fear" and "be afraid" below.
fear(
fihr
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (fright)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to suspect)
a. temer
Nobody wants to believe it but I fear he's right.Nadie quiere creerlo, pero temo que tiene razón.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. temer
The passengers feared for their lives as the ship began to sink.Los pasajeros temían por sus vidas mientras el barco se hundía.
be afraid(
bi
uh
-
freyd
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. ten miedo (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Be afraid, Josh. People say he's coming for you.Ten miedo, Josh. Dicen que viene por ti.
b. tenga miedo (formal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
You will regret this day. Be afraid, Mr. Smith!Se arrepentirá de este día. ¡Tenga miedo, Sr. Smith!
a. tengan miedo (plural)
A word or phrase that is plural (e.g., los libros).
It will soon be Halloween. Be afraid; be very afraid!Pronto será Halloween. ¡Tengan miedo; tengan mucho miedo!
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.).
a. tener miedo
When I was younger, I used to be afraid of the dark.Cuando era joven, le tenía miedo a la oscuridad.
b. temer
You shouldn't be afraid of him, son. He's not a real vampire.No debes temerle, hijo. No es un vampiro de verdad.
