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A1 adjective #4,500 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

asustado

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At the A1 level, 'asustado' is one of the first adjectives you learn to describe emotions. You use it in very simple sentences with the verb 'estar'. You focus on basic agreement: if you are a boy, you say 'estoy asustado'; if you are a girl, you say 'estoy asustada'. You learn it alongside words like 'feliz' (happy), 'triste' (sad), and 'cansado' (tired). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex nuances; just use it whenever you want to say 'scared'. You might use it to talk about animals (el gato está asustado) or simple reactions to loud noises. The key is understanding that it describes a feeling, not a permanent personality trait. You will often see it in children's books or basic dialogue exercises where characters react to surprises. It is a 'state' word, so you always pair it with 'estar'. This level is about building the foundation of subject-adjective agreement and recognizing the word when you hear it in simple contexts like '¿Por qué estás asustado?'.

At the A2 level, you begin to expand your use of 'asustado' by adding reasons for the fear. You start using the preposition 'por' to explain why someone is scared. For example, 'Estoy asustado por el examen de mañana'. You also begin to use adverbs of intensity to qualify the feeling, such as 'muy asustado' (very scared) or 'un poco asustado' (a little scared). You might also encounter the word in the past tense, which requires you to conjugate 'estar' correctly: 'Ayer estuve asustado' or 'Ella estaba asustada'. At this level, you should also be able to distinguish 'asustado' (the state) from 'asustar' (the verb). You might say 'La película me asustó' (The movie scared me) and then describe the result: 'Por eso estoy asustado' (That is why I am scared). You are also introduced to the feminine and plural forms more consistently, ensuring that 'mis amigos están asustados' is used correctly. This level focuses on making your descriptions more detailed and grammatically sound in the past and present.

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At the B1 level, you move beyond simple descriptions and start using 'asustado' in more complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive mood or with verbs of perception. You might say 'Me molesta que estés asustado' (It bothers me that you are scared) or 'No creo que ella esté asustada' (I don't think she is scared). You also begin to understand the difference between 'asustado' and other similar adjectives like 'atemorizado' or 'inquieto'. You start to use 'asustado' in more abstract contexts, such as being scared about the future, the economy, or a relationship, rather than just physical surprises. You are expected to use it fluently in storytelling, describing how characters felt during specific events. You might also use it in the passive voice or in 'se' constructions, though these are less common for this specific adjective. Your vocabulary is growing, so you use 'asustado' when it is the right 'middle-ground' word, avoiding it when something more intense like 'aterrado' is required. This level is about precision and integration into advanced sentence structures.

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At the B2 level, you have a firm grasp of 'asustado' and use it naturally in a wide variety of registers. You understand its idiomatic uses and how it fits into the broader emotional landscape of the Spanish language. You can discuss the psychological aspects of being 'asustado' and how it differs from 'tener miedo' (the experience of fear) or 'ser miedoso' (the personality trait). You might use it in hypothetical 'if' clauses: 'Si no estuviera tan asustado, saltaría en paracaídas' (If I weren't so scared, I would skydive). You are also aware of regional variations and might recognize when a native speaker uses a slang alternative, though you likely stick to 'asustado' for clarity. You can use the word to describe complex social phenomena, such as a 'población asustada' (a scared population) during a crisis. At this level, your use of the word is indistinguishable from a native speaker's in terms of grammar and context. You might also use the noun form 'susto' in common expressions like 'dar un susto' (to give a scare) or 'llevarse un susto' (to get a scare) to complement your use of the adjective.

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At the C1 level, you use 'asustado' with stylistic flair. You can use it to create specific tones in your writing, perhaps choosing it over a more complex word to convey a sense of raw, simple vulnerability. You understand how the placement of the adjective can slightly shift the emphasis, though you know that keeping it after the noun is the standard. You can analyze literature and explain why an author chose 'asustado' instead of 'pavoroso' or 'espantado'. You are also comfortable with the word in professional and academic settings, describing market trends or social reactions with precision. You can use the word in complex rhetorical structures and are fully aware of its etymological roots and how it relates to other words in the 'asustar' family. You might use it in ironic or sarcastic ways, reflecting a deep cultural understanding. Your ability to use 'asustado' is no longer about the word itself, but about how it fits into a sophisticated and nuanced command of the Spanish language.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'asustado' is complete. You use it with the same ease and nuance as a highly educated native speaker. You can use it in any context, from the most informal street slang to the most formal legal or medical discourse. You understand the subtle historical shifts in the word's usage and its presence in classic Spanish literature. You can play with the word, creating puns or using it in creative writing to evoke specific emotional responses. You are also an expert in the various regional nuances across the Spanish-speaking world, knowing exactly when 'asustado' might be replaced by 'acojonado' in Spain or 'paniqueado' in parts of Latin America, and you can switch between these registers effortlessly. You can discuss the word's role in cultural myths and legends (like 'La Llorona') and how the concept of being 'asustado' is portrayed in different artistic mediums. For you, 'asustado' is just one note in a massive symphony of vocabulary that you play with perfect precision and emotional resonance.

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Asustado means 'scared' or 'frightened' in Spanish.
It is an adjective that must agree with the gender and number of the subject.
It is almost always used with the verb 'estar' to describe a temporary state.
It comes from the verb 'asustar', which means 'to scare'.

The word asustado is a common Spanish adjective used to describe the emotional state of being scared, frightened, or startled. It is the past participle of the verb asustar (to scare). In Spanish, adjectives derived from past participles are frequently used to describe states of being, and asustado is a prime example of this. When you use this word, you are communicating that someone has experienced a sudden shock or is currently feeling a sense of fear due to an external stimulus.

Grammatical Gender and Number: Because it is an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the person or thing it describes. You will use asustado for a male, asustada for a female, asustados for a group of males or a mixed group, and asustadas for a group of females.
Usage with 'Estar': In almost all contexts, asustado is paired with the verb estar because fear is considered a temporary state or a result of an action. Using it with ser is extremely rare and would imply that the person is 'the essence of being scared,' which sounds unnatural. To say someone is a 'scaredy-cat' or naturally fearful, Spanish speakers usually use the adjective miedoso instead.

El niño está muy asustado por los truenos de la tormenta.
— Translation: The boy is very scared because of the thunder from the storm.

The intensity of being asustado can range from a minor startle to profound terror. It is often used when a sudden noise occurs, like a door slamming or a balloon popping. It is also the standard word used when watching horror movies or hearing bad news. Contextually, it implies a reaction to something specific. For instance, if you see a ghost, you are asustado. If you are generally afraid of the dark, you might say tengo miedo a la oscuridad, but in the moment the lights go out, you become asustado.

No te quedes ahí parado, que me has asustado.
— Translation: Don't just stand there, you've scared me.

Synonym Nuances: While asustado is the most common term, you might hear atemorizado (terrified/frightened) in more formal or literary contexts, or cagado de miedo in very vulgar, informal slang in Spain. Asustado remains the safest, most versatile choice for any learner at the A1 level and beyond.

¿Por qué tienes esa cara? Pareces asustado.
— Translation: Why do you have that face? You look scared.

In summary, asustado is your go-to word for 'scared.' It captures that moment when the heart beats faster and the breath catches. Whether it is a small child afraid of a dog or an adult nervous about a medical result, asustado covers the spectrum of fright. Remember to always use it with estar and match the ending to the subject's gender and number.

Using asustado correctly involves understanding its role as a descriptive state. Since it stems from a verb, it behaves like a bridge between an action (the act of being scared) and a description (the feeling of fear). To master its use, focus on the verb estar and the prepositions that typically follow it, such as por (because of) or con (with/by).

Basic Subject-Verb Agreement: The most common pattern is [Subject] + [Estar] + [Asustado/a/os/as]. For example: 'Yo estoy asustado' (I am scared - male speaker). 'Nosotras estamos asustadas' (We are scared - female group). This structure is identical to how you would say 'I am tired' (estoy cansado) or 'I am happy' (estoy contento).

Las niñas estaban asustadas después de ver la película.
— Translation: The girls were scared after watching the movie.

When you want to specify the cause of the fear, you generally use the preposition por. For example, 'Estoy asustado por el examen' (I am scared/worried because of the exam). You can also use de in some regions, though por is more common for the cause of a state. If you are using the verb asustar as an action, the structure changes: 'El perro me asusta' (The dog scares me). But as an adjective, it remains 'Estoy asustado por el perro.'

Me miró con ojos asustados y no dijo nada.
— Translation: He looked at me with scared eyes and said nothing.

Using Adverbs of Degree: To modify the intensity, use adverbs like muy (very), un poco (a little), bastante (quite), or extremadamente (extremely). Example: 'Estamos un poco asustados con las noticias' (We are a little scared with the news).

No estés asustado, yo estoy aquí contigo.
— Translation: Don't be scared, I am here with you.

Finally, remember that asustado can also be used as a resultative state. If someone screams '¡Me asustaste!' (You scared me!), the resulting state is 'Ahora estoy asustado' (Now I am scared). This logical flow between the verb asustar and the adjective asustado is a key part of Spanish verbal morphology that will help you expand your vocabulary naturally.

The word asustado is ubiquitous in the Spanish-speaking world. You will hear it in everyday conversations, in the news, in literature, and especially in entertainment. Because fear is a universal human emotion, the term is not restricted to any specific dialect, though the frequency of its use might vary compared to regional synonyms.

In Daily Life: You'll hear parents saying to their children, '¿Estás asustado, mi amor?' when there's a loud noise. Friends might tease each other after a prank, saying '¡Mira tu cara, estás asustadísimo!' (Look at your face, you're super scared!). It's the standard way to express a reaction to a jump scare or a sudden realization.

El perro salió corriendo, estaba muy asustado por los fuegos artificiales.
— Translation: The dog ran away; he was very scared by the fireworks.

In television and movies, particularly in the horror or suspense genres, characters spend a lot of time being asustados. You'll hear it in dialogue like '¡No me dejes solo, tengo miedo, estoy asustado!' (Don't leave me alone, I'm afraid, I'm scared!). In news reporting, it might be used to describe the state of a population after a natural disaster: 'La gente en la costa está asustada por el posible huracán.'

Muchos inversores están asustados por la caída de la bolsa.
— Translation: Many investors are scared by the stock market crash.

Regional Variations: While asustado is universal, in Mexico you might hear escamado (slang for wary or scared), or in Argentina, someone might say they are cagado (very informal). However, asustado is the 'neutral' Spanish term that is understood from Madrid to Mexico City to Buenos Aires.

Entró en la habitación con un aire asustado, como si hubiera visto un fantasma.
— Translation: He entered the room with a scared air, as if he had seen a ghost.

Whether you are reading a thriller novel where the protagonist is asustado in a dark alley, or you are listening to a podcast about psychology discussing why we get asustados, the word is a vital component of the Spanish lexicon. It bridges the gap between simple vocabulary and the expression of complex human reactions.

For English speakers learning Spanish, asustado presents a few common pitfalls. These usually involve verb choice, gender agreement, or confusing the adjective with its related noun or verb forms. Addressing these early will make your Spanish sound much more natural.

The Ser vs. Estar Trap: The biggest mistake is using ser instead of estar. In English, 'to be scared' doesn't distinguish between a temporary state and a character trait. In Spanish, saying 'Soy asustado' is grammatically incorrect. You must say 'Estoy asustado'. If you want to say you are a fearful person by nature, use 'Soy miedoso'.

Incorrecto: Juan es asustado.
Correcto: Juan está asustado.

Another frequent error is failing to change the ending to match the subject. If a woman says 'Estoy asustado', it sounds wrong to a native ear; she must say 'Estoy asustada'. Similarly, if you are talking about a group of people, you must use the plural 'asustados' or 'asustadas'. Adjective agreement is a cornerstone of Spanish grammar that requires constant attention from beginners.

Incorrecto: Tengo asustado.
Correcto: Tengo miedo / Estoy asustado.

Confusion with 'Asustador': Sometimes learners use asustado when they mean 'scary'. If a movie is scary, you don't say 'La película es asustada' (The movie is in a state of being scared). You should say 'La película da miedo' or 'La película es aterradora'. Asustado describes the victim of the scare, not the cause.

Incorrecto: Ese monstruo es muy asustado.
— Note: This would mean the monster is the one who is scared.

Lastly, be careful with the pronunciation of the 'd' in the '-ado' ending. In many dialects, especially in Spain and the Caribbean, the 'd' can become very soft or almost disappear (sounding like asustao). While this is common in speech, as a learner, you should aim to pronounce the 'd' clearly but softly to ensure you are understood and to maintain a good standard of speech before adopting regional accents.

While asustado is a versatile and common word, Spanish offers a rich palette of synonyms to describe various shades of fear. Choosing the right word can help you express whether you are just slightly startled or completely paralyzed with terror.

Atemorizado vs. Asustado: Atemorizado is a more formal and intense version of asustado. It suggests a deeper, more lingering fear, often caused by a threat rather than a sudden surprise. You might be asustado by a loud bang, but atemorizado by a tyrant or a dangerous situation that lasts for a long time.
Aterrado: This is the equivalent of 'terrified'. It comes from the word 'terror'. If asustado is a 5 on the fear scale, aterrado is a 10. Use this when the fear is overwhelming and paralyzing.

No solo estaba asustado, estaba completamente aterrado.
— Translation: He wasn't just scared, he was completely terrified.

Another useful alternative is sobresaltado. This specifically means 'startled' or 'jumpy'. It is the physical reaction to a sudden surprise. If someone sneaks up on you, you are sobresaltado. You might also hear espantado, which is very similar to asustado but often carries a connotation of being 'spooked' or 'scared away'. In some regions, espantado is used more frequently than asustado.

Juan es muy miedoso, siempre está asustado por algo.
— Translation: Juan is very fearful; he is always scared of something.

Intimidado: This means 'intimidated'. It is a specific type of fear where you feel small or powerless in front of someone else. You might be asustado of a big dog, but intimidado by a strict boss.

El estudiante se sentía intimidado ante el tribunal, no solo asustado.
— Translation: The student felt intimidated before the tribunal, not just scared.

By learning these nuances, you can move beyond the basics of A1 Spanish. Being able to distinguish between being 'startled' (sobresaltado), 'terrified' (aterrado), and 'scared' (asustado) will make your descriptions more vivid and accurate in conversation and writing.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root 'suscitare' is also the ancestor of the English word 'suspect' (via a different path) and 'resuscitate'. So, being 'asustado' is literally being 'resuscitated' into a state of alarm!

Aussprachehilfe

UK /a.sus.ˈta.ðo/

US /a.sus.ˈta.ðo/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: a-sus-TA-do.

Reimt sich auf

cansado hablado pasado pintado enfadado llamado sentado olvidado

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'u' like the English 'u' in 'must' (it should be 'oo').
Using a hard English 'd' at the end (it should be soft 'ð').
Stress on the first or last syllable.
Dropping the final 'o' completely.
Confusing the 's' with a 'z' sound (it should be a sharp 's').

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it follows standard adjective patterns.

Schreiben 2/5

Requires remembering gender/number agreement and the correct verb 'estar'.

Sprechen 2/5

The soft 'd' pronunciation can be a bit tricky for beginners.

Hören 1/5

Clearly articulated in most contexts, though 'asustao' is common in casual speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

estar miedo niño perro película

Als Nächstes lernen

atemorizado aterrado valiente sorprendido preocupado

Fortgeschritten

sobresaltado espantado acobardado pavor estremecido

Wichtige Grammatik

Adjective Agreement

El hombre asustado / La mujer asustada.

Estar with Emotional States

Estoy asustado (Not 'Soy asustado').

Past Participles as Adjectives

Asustado comes from the verb asustar.

Preposition 'por' for Cause

Asustado por el ruido.

Adverbs of Degree

Muy asustado / Bastante asustada.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Yo estoy asustado.

I am scared.

Subject + Estar + Adjective (masculine).

Ella está asustada.

She is scared.

Subject + Estar + Adjective (feminine).

El gato está asustado.

The cat is scared.

Noun + Estar + Adjective.

¿Estás asustado?

Are you scared?

Interrogative sentence using 'estar'.

No estoy asustada.

I am not scared (female).

Negative sentence with feminine adjective.

Nosotros estamos asustados.

We are scared.

Plural agreement (masculine/mixed).

Ustedes están asustados.

You all are scared.

Second person plural with 'estar'.

El perro parece asustado.

The dog looks scared.

Using the verb 'parecer' (to seem) with the adjective.

Estoy asustado por el ruido.

I am scared because of the noise.

Using 'por' to indicate the cause of the state.

Las niñas están asustadas por la película.

The girls are scared because of the movie.

Plural feminine agreement with cause.

Mi hermano estaba muy asustado ayer.

My brother was very scared yesterday.

Imperfect tense of 'estar' with adverb 'muy'.

No tengas miedo, no estés asustado.

Don't be afraid, don't be scared.

Negative imperative of 'estar'.

El caballo salió asustado del establo.

The horse came out of the stable scared.

Adjective describing the subject while performing an action.

Estamos un poco asustados con el perro nuevo.

We are a little scared with the new dog.

Using 'un poco' to modify intensity.

¿Por qué tienes esa cara de asustado?

Why do you have that scared face?

Using 'asustado' as part of a noun phrase 'cara de'.

Juan se siente asustado en la oscuridad.

Juan feels scared in the dark.

Using 'sentirse' (to feel) with the adjective.

Dudo que ella esté realmente asustada.

I doubt that she is really scared.

Subjunctive mood after a verb of doubt.

Si estuviera asustado, te lo diría.

If I were scared, I would tell you.

Imperfect subjunctive in a conditional sentence.

Me puse asustado cuando vi el accidente.

I became scared when I saw the accident.

Using 'ponerse' to indicate a change in emotional state.

Es normal estar asustado antes de una operación.

It is normal to be scared before an operation.

Infinitive 'estar' after an impersonal expression.

La gente caminaba asustada por las calles.

People were walking scared through the streets.

Adjective modifying the collective noun 'la gente'.

No quiero que mis hijos crezcan asustados.

I don't want my children to grow up scared.

Subjunctive after a verb of desire.

Me miró con una expresión asustada y huyó.

He looked at me with a scared expression and fled.

Adjective modifying the noun 'expresión'.

A pesar de estar asustado, continuó el camino.

Despite being scared, he continued on the path.

Gerund-like use of 'estar' after 'a pesar de'.

El mercado está asustado por la inflación.

The market is scared because of inflation.

Metaphorical use of the adjective for economic contexts.

Se quedó asustado al ver la factura del taller.

He was left scared (shocked) upon seeing the repair shop bill.

Using 'quedarse' to indicate a resulting state.

No es que esté asustado, es que soy precavido.

It's not that I'm scared, it's that I'm cautious.

Contrast between a temporary state and a permanent trait.

La población se encuentra asustada ante los cambios.

The population finds itself scared in the face of changes.

Using the more formal 'encontrarse' instead of 'estar'.

Había un silencio asustado en la habitación.

There was a scared silence in the room.

Personification using 'asustado' to describe 'silencio'.

Cualquiera estaría asustado en tu situación.

Anyone would be scared in your situation.

Conditional tense to express probability or empathy.

Salió de la entrevista sintiéndose asustado por el futuro.

He left the interview feeling scared about the future.

Present participle 'sintiéndose' with adjective.

Fue un susto grande, pero ya no estoy asustado.

It was a big fright, but I'm not scared anymore.

Relationship between the noun 'susto' and the adjective.

Su mirada asustada delataba su culpabilidad.

His scared gaze betrayed his guilt.

Adjective used to imply a deeper psychological state.

El país vive asustado por la sombra de la guerra.

The country lives scared by the shadow of war.

Using 'vivir' as a copulative verb to indicate a persistent state.

Resulta asustado comprobar lo rápido que pasa el tiempo.

It is scary (startling) to realize how fast time passes.

Using 'resultar' with the adjective in an impersonal construction.

Apareció en la puerta, pálido y asustado.

He appeared at the door, pale and scared.

Coordinate adjectives describing the subject's appearance.

No debemos permitir que un pueblo asustado tome decisiones.

We must not allow a scared people to make decisions.

Using 'asustado' to describe a collective noun in a political context.

Se mostró asustado ante la magnitud del proyecto.

He showed himself scared (appeared scared) before the magnitude of the project.

Using 'mostrarse' to describe how someone presents themselves.

Tras el estruendo, todo quedó en un silencio asustado.

After the roar, everything remained in a scared silence.

Literary use of 'asustado' to create atmosphere.

Aunque parezca asustado, es el hombre más valiente que conozco.

Although he may seem scared, he is the bravest man I know.

Concessive clause with 'aunque' and the subjunctive.

La prosa del autor evoca un mundo asustado de sí mismo.

The author's prose evokes a world scared of itself.

Highly abstract and personified use of the adjective.

Su asustada reacción fue el detonante de la tragedia.

His scared reaction was the trigger for the tragedy.

Using the adjective before the noun for dramatic emphasis.

Se halla asustado en un laberinto de burocracia.

He finds himself scared in a labyrinth of bureaucracy.

Metaphorical use of 'asustado' in a complex locative structure.

Ese tono asustado en su voz me hizo sospechar lo peor.

That scared tone in her voice made me suspect the worst.

Adjective modifying the noun 'tono' to describe an auditory quality.

El niño, asustado, se refugió en el regazo de su abuela.

The boy, scared, took refuge in his grandmother's lap.

Appositive use of the adjective for narrative pacing.

No es sino un hombre asustado tras una máscara de poder.

He is but a scared man behind a mask of power.

Philosophical use of the adjective to describe true character vs. appearance.

La inversión huye de un clima político asustado.

Investment flees from a scared political climate.

Using 'asustado' to describe an abstract 'clima' (climate/environment).

Permaneció asustado, inmóvil, como si el tiempo se hubiera detenido.

He remained scared, motionless, as if time had stopped.

Using 'permanecer' to indicate a continued state of being.

Häufige Kollokationen

estar asustado

muy asustado

un poco asustado

mirada asustada

sentirse asustado

parecer asustado

quedarse asustado

asustado de muerte

niño asustado

rostro asustado

Häufige Phrasen

¡No me asustes!

— Don't scare me! Used when someone surprises you or says something worrying.

¡No me asustes con esas bromas!

Dar un susto

— To give someone a scare. A very common way to express the act of frightening someone.

Me diste un susto de muerte.

Llevarse un susto

— To get a scare. Used when you are the one who is startled.

Me llevé un susto cuando el gato saltó.

Cara de asustado

— Scared face. Used to describe someone's expression.

Tienes cara de asustado, ¿viste un fantasma?

Estar asustado por nada

— To be scared for no reason. Used when someone is overly jumpy.

Siempre estás asustado por nada.

Asustado por las sombras

— Scared of shadows. Idiom for being afraid of things that aren't there.

No seas tonto, estás asustado por las sombras.

Más asustado que un pavo en Navidad

— Scared as a turkey at Christmas. A humorous idiom for being very afraid.

Antes del examen, estaba más asustado que un pavo en Navidad.

Dejar asustado a alguien

— To leave someone scared or shocked.

La noticia nos dejó a todos asustados.

Ver a alguien asustado

— To see someone in a scared state.

Nunca había visto a mi padre tan asustado.

Ponerse asustado

— To become scared (indicating the transition into that state).

Se puso asustado cuando se apagaron las luces.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

asustado vs miedoso

Miedoso is a personality trait (fearful person), while asustado is a temporary state (scared right now).

asustado vs asqueroso

They sound vaguely similar but mean completely different things (asqueroso means disgusting).

asustado vs asombrado

Asombrado means amazed or surprised, which can be positive, whereas asustado is specifically about fear.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Tener el corazón en un puño"

— To be extremely scared or anxious, literally 'to have the heart in a fist'.

Estaba tan asustado que tenía el corazón en un puño.

informal

"Ponérsele los pelos de punta"

— To have one's hair stand on end due to fear.

Se me pusieron los pelos de punta, estaba muy asustado.

neutral

"No llegarle la camisa al cuerpo"

— To be so scared that one is trembling or shrinking, literally 'the shirt doesn't reach the body'.

Cuando vio al oso, no le llegaba la camisa al cuerpo.

informal (Spain)

"Estar blanco como el papel"

— To be white as a sheet/paper from fear.

Estás asustado, estás blanco como el papel.

neutral

"Temblar como un flan"

— To shake like a custard/jelly (flan) from fear or nerves.

Estaba tan asustado que temblaba como un flan.

informal

"Hacerse pipí de miedo"

— To be so scared that one almost wets themselves (vulgar/childish).

El niño estaba tan asustado que casi se hace pipí.

informal

"Ver las orejas al lobo"

— To see the danger coming and get scared, literally 'to see the wolf's ears'.

Cuando vio las orejas al lobo, se quedó asustado y cambió de opinión.

neutral

"Estar con el alma en un hilo"

— To be in a state of high suspense or fear, literally 'to have the soul on a thread'.

Estábamos asustados, con el alma en un hilo esperando el rescate.

literary

"Quedarse de piedra"

— To be petrified or stunned with fear/surprise.

Se quedó de piedra, asustado por lo que vio.

neutral

"Cagarse de miedo"

— To be extremely scared (vulgar), literally 'to poop oneself with fear'.

Estaba asustado, bueno, estaba cagado de miedo.

slang

Leicht verwechselbar

asustado vs miedo

Both relate to fear.

Miedo is a noun (fear), asustado is an adjective (scared). You 'have' fear (tener miedo) but you 'are' scared (estar asustado).

Tengo miedo vs Estoy asustado.

asustado vs asustar

One is the verb, one is the adjective.

Asustar is the action of scaring someone. Asustado is the state of the person who was scared.

El ruido me asustó (action) / Estoy asustado (state).

asustado vs aterrado

Both mean scared.

Aterrado is much stronger, meaning 'terrified'. Asustado is the more common, general term.

Estoy asustado por la araña / Estoy aterrado por el terremoto.

asustado vs preocupado

Fear and worry often go together.

Preocupado means 'worried' about a problem. Asustado is a more visceral reaction of fear or surprise.

Estoy preocupado por mis notas / Estoy asustado por el grito.

asustado vs espantado

Very close synonyms.

Espantado often implies being 'spooked' or driven away by fear. In some regions, they are identical.

Los pájaros volaron espantados.

Satzmuster

[Subject] + estar + asustado/a.

Yo estoy asustado.

[Subject] + estar + muy/un poco + asustado/a.

Ella está muy asustada.

[Subject] + estar + asustado/a + por + [Noun].

Estamos asustados por el ruido.

Parecer + asustado/a.

Pareces asustado hoy.

Sentirse + asustado/a.

Me siento asustada en este lugar.

Quedarse + asustado/a + al + [Infinitive].

Se quedó asustado al ver el precio.

[Noun] + asustado/a + [Verb]...

El niño asustado corrió hacia su madre.

Impersonal 'Resultar' + asustado + [Infinitive].

Resulta asustado pensar en el futuro.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

susto (fright/scare)

asustador (someone who scares others)

Verben

asustar (to scare)

asustarse (to get scared)

Adjektive

asustado (scared)

asustadizo (easily scared/skittish)

Verwandt

miedo

temor

espanto

terror

alarma

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and media.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'ser' instead of 'estar'. → Estoy asustado.
Fear is a temporary state of being, which in Spanish requires the verb 'estar'. 'Ser' is used for permanent characteristics.
Forgetting gender agreement. → Mi madre está asustada.
Adjectives in Spanish must match the gender of the noun. Since 'madre' is feminine, 'asustada' must be used.
Saying 'Tengo asustado'. → Tengo miedo / Estoy asustado.
You cannot 'have' an adjective. You 'have' fear (noun) or 'are' scared (adjective). Mixing the two is a common learner error.
Using 'asustado' to mean 'scary'. → La película es aterradora / da miedo.
'Asustado' describes the person who feels fear, not the thing that causes it. If you say a movie is 'asustada', you are saying the movie itself is feeling scared.
Pronouncing the 'u' like 'uh'. → a-SOOS-tah-tho.
The Spanish 'u' is always a pure 'oo' sound, like in 'boot'. Pronouncing it like the 'u' in 'must' will make you hard to understand.

Tipps

Gender Check

Always look at the subject before writing 'asustado'. If it's a woman, a girl, or a feminine noun like 'la gata', you must use 'asustada'. This is a very common mistake for English speakers.

Verb Choice

Remember: Estar + Asustado. Don't use 'ser' and don't use 'tener' with the adjective. If you use 'tener', you must use the noun 'miedo' (Tengo miedo).

Soft 'D'

To sound like a native, make the 'd' in 'asustado' very light. If you say it too hard, it sounds like a foreign accent. Think of it as a soft 'th' sound.

Intensity

If you are only a little bit scared, say 'un poco asustado'. If you are very scared, say 'muy asustado'. This helps you be more precise in your communication.

The 'Susto'

In Latin America, 'asustado' can sometimes refer to a specific cultural illness called 'susto'. If someone seems very concerned about being 'asustado', they might be thinking of this cultural context.

Synonym Variety

Once you master 'asustado', try using 'sobresaltado' for 'startled' or 'aterrado' for 'terrified' to make your stories more interesting.

Informal Speech

Be prepared to hear 'asustao' in casual settings. The final 'd' is often dropped in many Spanish dialects, but you should still write it as 'asustado'.

Self-Correction

If you accidentally say 'soy asustado', quickly correct it to 'estoy asustado'. Native speakers will appreciate the effort to get the 'ser/estar' distinction right.

Prepositions

Use 'por' to say what scared you. 'Estoy asustado por la tormenta'. It's the most natural way to link the feeling to the cause.

Word Family

Learning the verb 'asustar' and the noun 'susto' at the same time as 'asustado' will triple your vocabulary with very little extra effort.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'A-SUST-ado' as 'A-SUST-ained' state of shock. Or imagine a 'SUSTO' (scare) turning you into an 'ASUSTADO' (scared person).

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine someone seeing a GHOST and their eyes getting as wide as the two 's' letters in a-SUS-tado.

Word Web

asustar susto estar miedo gritar temblar pálido sorpresa

Herausforderung

Try to use 'asustado' in three different sentences today: one about yourself, one about a friend, and one about an animal.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Spanish verb 'asustar', which is formed by the prefix 'a-' (towards/to) and the noun 'susto' (fright). The noun 'susto' itself comes from the Latin 'suscitare', meaning 'to stir up', 'to rouse', or 'to awaken'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To be in a state of having been 'stirred up' or 'roused' by a sudden alarm.

Romance (Latin root)

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'asustado' to describe someone's mental health; it's better for temporary states. For anxiety, use 'ansioso'.

English speakers often use 'scared' and 'afraid' interchangeably, but in Spanish, 'asustado' is more about the reaction to a stimulus, while 'tener miedo' is the general feeling.

The painting 'El Grito' (The Scream) by Edvard Munch perfectly captures being 'asustado'. Characters in 'Scooby-Doo' are perpetually 'asustados'. The phrase 'asustado de su propia sombra' is a common literary trope.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Watching a horror movie

Estoy muy asustado.
No quiero mirar.
Esa escena me dejó asustada.
¿Estás asustado tú también?

Hearing a loud noise

¡Qué susto!
Me quedé asustado.
¿Qué fue eso? Estoy asustada.
Me has asustado mucho.

Before an exam or interview

Estoy un poco asustado.
Me siento asustada por las preguntas.
No estés asustado, vas a hacerlo bien.
Pareces asustado, respira hondo.

Talking about pets

Mi gato está asustado por los truenos.
El perro parece asustado con los extraños.
Pobre perrito, está muy asustado.
¿Por qué está asustado el pájaro?

News and current events

La gente está asustada por la crisis.
Estamos asustados con el futuro.
Muchos están asustados por el virus.
El barrio está asustado por el robo.

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Alguna vez has estado realmente asustado por algo gracioso?"

"¿Qué película te ha dejado más asustado en toda tu vida?"

"¿Te sientes asustado cuando tienes que hablar en público?"

"¿Qué haces para no estar asustado cuando hay una tormenta?"

"¿Recuerdas la primera vez que estuviste asustado de niño?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe una situación reciente en la que estuviste asustado y cómo reaccionaste.

Escribe sobre un personaje de ficción que siempre parece estar asustado.

¿Crees que es bueno estar asustado a veces? ¿Por qué sí o por qué no?

¿Cómo cambia tu cuerpo cuando te sientes asustado?

Escribe una historia corta que empiece con la frase: 'Estaba tan asustado que no podía moverme'.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, you should not say 'Soy asustado'. In Spanish, 'asustado' describes a state, so it requires the verb 'estar'. If you want to say you are a naturally fearful person, use 'Soy miedoso'. Using 'soy' with 'asustado' sounds very unnatural to native speakers.

The difference is gender. 'Asustado' is used for men or masculine nouns, and 'asustada' is used for women or feminine nouns. Spanish adjectives must always match the gender of the person they describe. For example, 'Juan está asustado' but 'María está asustada'.

You say 'Estoy muy asustado' (if you are male) or 'Estoy muy asustada' (if you are female). You can also use 'asustadísimo' for extra emphasis, which means 'extremely scared'.

It is an adjective, but it originates from the past participle of the verb 'asustar'. In Spanish, many adjectives are formed this way. When you use it with 'estar', it functions as a descriptive adjective.

Use 'atemorizado' in more formal writing or when the fear is deep-seated and caused by a continuous threat. For everyday surprises or common fears, 'asustado' is the best and most natural choice.

Yes, it almost always means scared, frightened, or startled. In some contexts, it can mean 'shocked' or 'alarmed' by a situation, such as a financial market being 'asustado' by bad news.

The 'd' in the '-ado' ending is very soft. It is a dental fricative, meaning your tongue should touch your upper teeth, similar to the 'th' in the English word 'this'. Don't make it a hard 'd' like in 'door'.

Yes, absolutely! You can say 'El perro está asustado' or 'La gata está asustada'. It is the standard word for animals reacting to fear as well.

The plural is 'asustados' for a group of males or a mixed group, and 'asustadas' for a group of females only. Example: 'Ellos están asustados'.

Yes, 'asustado' is a universal Spanish word. While some regions have their own slang terms, everyone in every Spanish-speaking country will understand and use 'asustado'.

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