vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Temer" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to fear", and "tener miedo" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be afraid". Learn more about the difference between "temer" and "tener miedo" below.
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.
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.
