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"Tener miedo" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be afraid", and "tener frío" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be cold". Learn more about the difference between "tener miedo" and "tener frío" 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.).
intransitive verb phrase
a. to be afraid
Eugenio les tiene miedo a los payasos.Eugenio is afraid of clowns.
b. to be scared
Tenía demasiado miedo para ver los resultados de su prueba.She was too scared to look at her test results.
c. to be frightened
¿Por qué tiemblas? ¿Tienes miedo?Why are you shaking? Are you frightened?
d. to fear
No tengo miedo al futuro.I don't fear the future.
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tener frío(
teh
-
nehr
 
free
-
oh
)
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.).
intransitive verb phrase
a. to be cold
Por favor, cierra la ventana que tengo frío.Close the window please, I'm cold.
b. to feel cold
Estoy empezando a tener frío así que voy a casa a ponerme una chaqueta.I'm starting to feel cold so I'm heading home to put on a jacket.
Copyright © 2025 Curiosity Media Inc.