vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Tener miedo" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be afraid", and "dar miedo" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to scare". Learn more about the difference between "tener miedo" and "dar miedo" below.
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.
dar miedo(
dahr
myeh
-
doh
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to scare
Esa montaña rusa me da miedo. No quiero subirme.That rollercoaster scares me. I don't want to ride it.
b. to frighten
El sonido de la artillería enemiga no le dio miedo a los soldados.The sound of the enemy artillery didn't frighten the soldiers.
c. to give the chills (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Esa casa abandonada me da miedo.That abandoned house gives me the chills.
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.).
