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"Scare" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "asustar", and "be afraid" is a phrase which is often translated as "ten miedo". Learn more about the difference between "scare" and "be afraid" below.
scare(
skehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
3. (fright)
a. el susto (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Monica had a scare when the fireworks suddenly exploded.Mónica se llevó un susto cuando de repente explotaron los fuegos artificiales.
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.
