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B1 adjective #6,000 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

aterrado

Top 6,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces aterrado en 30 secondes

Explication aterrado in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to express feelings. 'Aterrado' might be a bit advanced, but you can understand it as 'very, very scared'. Imagine you see a huge, angry dog. You are not just 'asustado' (scared), you are 'aterrado' (terrified). At this level, focus on the basic sentence: 'Yo estoy aterrado'. Remember that if you are a girl, you say 'Yo estoy aterrada'. It is important to know that this word is much stronger than 'miedo'. While 'tengo miedo' is common for many things, 'estoy aterrado' is for when you want to cry or run away because the fear is so big. You might hear this in simple stories or cartoons when a character sees a monster. Try to remember the sound: 'a-te-rra-do'. It sounds a bit like the word 'terror', which is the same in English and Spanish. This will help you remember that it means something related to terror. Don't worry about using it in complex ways yet; just know that it is the 'super' version of being scared.

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As an A2 learner, you can start using 'aterrado' to describe past experiences. You might say, 'Ayer vi una película de terror y estaba aterrado'. Notice that we use the verb 'estar' because fear is a feeling that changes. You can also start to use it with the plural: 'Mis amigos y yo estábamos aterrados'. This is a great word to add to your vocabulary to make your stories more interesting. Instead of always saying 'muy asustado', you can use 'aterrado' to show you know more specific words. You should also be careful with the gender: 'Mi madre estaba aterrada'. At this level, you can also learn the preposition 'de'. For example, 'Estoy aterrado de los fantasmas'. This helps you explain what is causing the fear. It's a useful word for talking about travel (fear of flying) or personal phobias. Just remember to keep it for big fears, not small ones like a difficult homework assignment.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'aterrado' in various tenses and contexts. You understand that 'aterrado' is the past participle of 'aterrar' and functions as an adjective. You can use it to describe not just yourself, but the atmosphere of a situation. For example, 'Había un silencio aterrado en la sala'. This shows a more sophisticated use of the word. You should also start to distinguish between 'aterrado' (the feeling) and 'aterrador' (the thing that causes fear). This is a common point of confusion. 'La tormenta fue aterradora' (The storm was terrifying) vs 'Yo estaba aterrado por la tormenta' (I was terrified by the storm). You can also use 'quedarse' to show a sudden reaction: 'Se quedó aterrado al oír la noticia'. This adds more dynamic action to your descriptions. At B1, you are expected to handle these nuances and use the word correctly in both written and spoken Spanish to describe emotional depth.

At the B2 level, you can use 'aterrado' to discuss more abstract or social fears. For example, 'La sociedad está aterrada ante el avance de la crisis económica'. Here, the word describes a collective psychological state rather than just an individual's reaction to a physical threat. you can also use it in more formal writing, such as essays or reports, to convey the intensity of a situation. You should be able to use it with a wide range of verbs like 'sentirse', 'permanecer', or 'resultar'. For instance, 'Permaneció aterrado durante todo el trayecto'. You can also explore the etymology of the word—how it relates to 'tierra' (ground)—to understand its literary power. A B2 student should also be aware of the register; 'aterrado' is quite intense, so in a professional setting, you might choose 'preocupado' or 'inquieto' unless the situation is truly dire. You can also use it in the passive voice or as part of complex clauses: 'Aterrada por las consecuencias, decidió no decir nada'.

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As a C1 learner, you should appreciate the stylistic value of 'aterrado' in literature and high-level discourse. You can use it to create specific tones in your writing. For example, in a gothic narrative, 'aterrado' provides the perfect level of dread. You should also be familiar with related literary terms and how 'aterrado' fits into the broader semantic field of fear, including words like 'pavor', 'espanto', 'horror', and 'consternación'. You can use 'aterrado' in metaphorical ways: 'Un corazón aterrado por el desamor'. At this level, you should also be able to identify and use the word in different regional dialects, noting if certain countries prefer synonyms like 'acojonado' (very informal, Spain) or 'paniqueado' (Latin America). Your usage should be precise, choosing 'aterrado' specifically when you want to evoke the sense of being 'grounded' or 'paralyzed' by fear, as opposed to the moral shock of 'horrorizado'.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'aterrado' should be absolute, including its most subtle connotations and historical echoes. You can discuss the evolution of the word from its Latin roots and how its meaning has shifted from physical destruction to psychological terror. You can use 'aterrado' in complex philosophical or psychological discussions, perhaps analyzing the 'sujeto aterrado' in modern existentialist literature. Your ability to use the word should be indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the use of irony or hyperbole: 'Estoy aterrado de que se acabe el café', where the intensity of the word is used for comedic effect. You should also be able to handle the word in all its morphological forms and in any syntactic position, including as a substantivized adjective: 'Los aterrados buscaban refugio'. At this level, 'aterrado' is just one of many tools in your vast vocabulary that you use with perfect precision to convey exact emotional and situational details.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

aterrado en 30 secondes

Aterrado means 'terrified' and is used for extreme fear situations.
It is an adjective that must agree in gender and number with the subject.
Commonly used with the verb 'estar' to describe a temporary emotional state.
It is much stronger than 'asustado' and implies being paralyzed by fear.

The Spanish adjective aterrado represents a state of intense, paralyzing fear that goes far beyond simple nervousness or common anxiety. When a Spanish speaker says they are 'aterrado', they are communicating that they have been metaphorically 'brought to the ground' by terror. This word is deeply rooted in the concept of being overwhelmed, where the physical and emotional response to a threat is so significant that it dominates the individual's entire being. In everyday conversation, you might use 'asustado' for a small jump-scare or 'con miedo' for general apprehension, but 'aterrado' is reserved for moments of genuine horror, such as witnessing a catastrophic event, facing a life-threatening situation, or experiencing a nightmare that feels entirely too real. The term carries a weight of vulnerability; it suggests that the person is not just scared, but fundamentally shaken.

Intensity Level: Extremely high; it is the Spanish equivalent of being 'terrified' or 'petrified' rather than just 'scared'.

El niño se quedó aterrado al ver la sombra en la ventana.

Linguistically, 'aterrado' functions as the past participle of the verb 'aterrar'. While 'aterrar' can mean to terrify, it historically also meant to pull down to the earth or to raze a building. This physical history informs the modern emotional meaning: a person who is 'aterrado' feels as though they have been knocked down by the sheer force of their fright. In literature, particularly in the works of authors like Gabriel García Márquez or Isabel Allende, this word is often used to describe the collective fear of a population during political unrest or supernatural occurrences. It is a word that demands attention. If someone tells you they are 'aterrado', they are not looking for a simple 'don't worry'; they are expressing a profound psychological state that often requires immediate comfort or intervention.

Common Contexts: Horror movies, natural disasters, intense personal phobias, and dramatic news reporting.

Los pasajeros estaban aterrados durante las turbulencias del avión.

Understand that 'aterrado' is not a word for mild inconveniences. You wouldn't be 'aterrado' because you forgot your keys; you would be 'aterrado' if you were trapped in a dark elevator for hours. It describes a visceral, often physical reaction—racing heart, cold sweat, and the inability to move or speak. This distinction is crucial for English speakers who might be tempted to use 'miedo' for everything. By using 'aterrado', you elevate your Spanish to a level that conveys specific emotional depth and intensity. It is a powerful tool in your vocabulary for storytelling and expressing deep empathy.

Using aterrado correctly requires an understanding of Spanish adjective agreement and the nuances of auxiliary verbs. Because it is an adjective derived from a past participle, it must always match the gender and number of the subject it modifies. For example, if you are talking about a group of women, you must use 'aterradas'. If you are talking about a single man, 'aterrado'. This is a fundamental rule that English speakers often forget when they are focused on the meaning of the word itself.

Verb Pairing: The most common verb used with 'aterrado' is 'estar'. Since being terrified is usually a temporary state or a result of a specific event, 'estar' is the natural choice over 'ser'.

Ella está aterrada de perder su trabajo.

Another powerful verb to use is 'quedarse'. This verb implies a change of state, often sudden. 'Se quedó aterrado' translates to 'He was struck with terror' or 'He became terrified'. This is particularly useful in narrative writing or when recounting a surprising event. You can also use 'sentirse' (to feel) to emphasize the internal experience: 'Me siento aterrado ante la posibilidad de fracasar'.

Agreement Table: Masculine Singular: aterrado | Feminine Singular: aterrada | Masculine Plural: aterrados | Feminine Plural: aterradas

Las víctimas del robo estaban aterradas y no podían hablar.

In complex sentences, 'aterrado' can also function as a modifier for a noun, though this is less common than its use as a predicate adjective. For instance, 'Un grito aterrado rompió el silencio' (A terrified scream broke the silence). Here, 'aterrado' describes the scream itself, imbuing the noun with the emotion of the person who produced it. When using 'aterrado' in the past tense, you will often see it in the imperfect ('estaba aterrado') for ongoing states or the preterite ('estuvo aterrado') for completed durations of fear. However, 'se quedó aterrado' (preterite) is the most frequent choice for describing a reaction to a specific moment.

Positioning: As a predicative adjective (after a verb like estar), it follows the verb. As an attributive adjective (modifying a noun), it usually follows the noun.

Caminaba por el pasillo con un semblante aterrado.

To master 'aterrado', practice substituting it for 'muy asustado'. If 'very scared' feels too weak for the situation, 'aterrado' is likely the correct choice. This will help you build a more sophisticated emotional range in your Spanish communication.

You will encounter aterrado in a variety of settings, ranging from high-stakes news reports to the dramatic world of Hispanic cinema and literature. In news broadcasts, journalists use 'aterrado' to describe the reactions of witnesses to major events like earthquakes, hurricanes, or violent crimes. For example, 'Los vecinos se encuentran aterrados tras el tiroteo' (The neighbors are terrified after the shooting). This usage emphasizes the psychological impact on a community.

Media and News: Used to convey the severity of public fear during crises or shocking events.

El titular decía: 'Un pueblo aterrado por la desaparición de tres jóvenes'.

In the world of entertainment, specifically horror and thriller genres, 'aterrado' is a staple. Spanish-language horror films, such as the famous 'Aterrados' (Terrified) by Argentinian director Demián Rugna, use the word to set the tone of visceral, inescapable dread. If you watch dubbed versions of English horror movies, you will frequently hear characters scream '¡Estoy aterrado!' or '¡Estamos aterradas!' in response to supernatural threats. In literature, the word is used to explore the internal state of characters facing existential crises or monstrous entities. Authors like Horacio Quiroga often use 'aterrado' to describe the primal fear of man against nature.

Everyday Conversation: While less common in casual banter than 'miedo', it is used when someone wants to emphasize that they were not just scared, but truly traumatized or deeply affected by an experience.

'Te lo juro, cuando vi el coche venir hacia mí, me quedé aterrado'.

Social media and online forums also feature this word, often in the context of viral stories or shocking videos. Users might comment, 'Quedé aterrado después de ver este video', to express how much a certain piece of content disturbed them. In medical or psychological settings, a doctor might use 'aterrado' to describe a patient's reaction during a panic attack or as a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is a word that bridges the gap between physical sensation and emotional trauma.

Cultural Nuance: In many Latin American cultures, where storytelling often includes elements of the supernatural (legends like La Llorona), 'aterrado' is the word used to describe the victims of these legends.

El campesino regresó al pueblo aterrado por lo que había visto en el bosque.

By paying attention to these contexts, you can see that 'aterrado' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a cultural marker of high-intensity emotion and shared human experience.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using aterrado is confusing it with the word 'aterrizado'. While they look similar because they both contain the root 'tierra' (earth/ground), 'aterrizado' is the past participle of 'aterrizar', which means 'to land' (as in a plane landing). Saying 'El piloto está aterrado' means 'The pilot is terrified', whereas 'El avión ha aterrizado' means 'The plane has landed'. Mixing these up can lead to very confusing, and sometimes unintentionally funny, situations.

The 'Ser' vs 'Estar' Trap: Another common error is using 'ser' instead of 'estar'. If you say 'Soy aterrado', it sounds like you are saying your permanent identity is being terrified, which makes no sense in Spanish. Always use 'estar' to describe the feeling.

Incorrect: Yo ~~soy~~ aterrado. | Correct: Yo estoy aterrado.

A third mistake involves gender and number agreement. Because English adjectives don't change form, learners often use the masculine singular 'aterrado' for everyone. Remember: 'Nosotras estamos aterradas' (feminine plural) is mandatory if the group is all female. Failing to do this is a clear sign of a non-native speaker and can sometimes disrupt the flow of a conversation.

Preposition Errors: Learners often try to translate 'terrified of' literally as 'aterrado de'. While this is correct, they sometimes use 'con' (with) or 'por' (by) incorrectly. While 'por' is used for the cause ('aterrado por el ruido'), 'de' is the standard for the object of fear ('aterrado de las arañas').

No digas 'aterrado a las alturas'; di 'aterrado de las alturas'.

Overusing the word is also a mistake. If you use 'aterrado' for every minor scare, it loses its impact. Spanish has a rich spectrum of fear-related words: 'inquieto' (uneasy), 'asustado' (scared), 'temeroso' (fearful), 'espantado' (frightened), and finally 'aterrado' (terrified). Using 'aterrado' when you just mean 'scared' can make you sound melodramatic. Finally, be careful with the spelling. Some learners add an extra 'r' or forget the 'd' at the end. It is 'a-te-rra-do'.

Summary of Errors: 1. Confusing with aterrizar. 2. Using 'ser' instead of 'estar'. 3. Incorrect gender/number agreement. 4. Confusing aterrado with aterrador. 5. Overusing the term for mild fear.

Recuerda: 'El monstruo es aterrador, por eso yo estoy aterrado'.

Avoid these pitfalls to ensure your Spanish sounds natural and precise.

To truly master the concept of fear in Spanish, it is helpful to compare aterrado with its synonyms and near-synonyms. This allows you to choose the exact shade of meaning you need. While 'aterrado' is at the top of the intensity scale, other words provide different nuances.

Aterrado vs. Asustado: 'Asustado' is the general word for 'scared'. It can range from a tiny surprise to a moderate fear. 'Aterrado' is specifically for extreme, overwhelming terror. You are 'asustado' by a loud noise; you are 'aterrado' by a life-threatening danger.

Estoy asustado por el examen, pero estoy aterrado por la cirugía.

Aterrado vs. Horrorizado: 'Horrorizado' (horrified) is very close to 'aterrado', but it often includes a sense of moral shock or disgust. You might be 'horrorizado' by a news story about a crime, even if you aren't personally afraid for your safety. 'Aterrado' is more about personal fear and the feeling of being threatened.

Aterrado vs. Pavoroso: 'Pavoroso' is usually an adjective describing the thing that causes fear (like 'aterrador'), but the noun 'pavor' (dread/terror) is what an 'aterrado' person feels. To say 'Tengo pavor' is a very strong way to express terror.

El incendio fue pavoroso, y nos dejó a todos aterrados.

Aterrado vs. Petrificado: 'Petrificado' (petrified) means you are so 'aterrado' that you cannot move. It is a more specific physical description of the state of terror. If you want to emphasize the inability to act, use 'petrificado'.

Estaba aterrado, o como decimos aquí, muerto de miedo.

Understanding these distinctions helps you avoid repetitive language and allows you to describe emotional states with the precision of a native speaker. Whether you are writing a story, describing a movie, or sharing a personal experience, choosing between 'aterrado', 'asustado', 'horrorizado', or 'petrificado' will significantly improve the quality of your Spanish. Always consider the source of the fear and the physical reaction it produces when selecting the best word.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word literally means being 'grounded' by fear. It shares the same root as 'aterrizar' (to land an airplane) and 'enterrar' (to bury).

Guide de prononciation

UK /əˈtɛr.ə.dəʊ/

US /əˈtɛr.ə.doʊ/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: a-te-RRA-do.

Rime avec

cansado hablado pintado enojado cerrado pasado lado dado

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'rr' like a single English 'r'.
Stress on the first syllable.
Making the final 'o' sound like 'oo'.
Skipping the 'd' sound at the end.
Pronouncing 'te' as 'tay' instead of a short 'teh'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Easy to recognize due to 'terror' root.

Écriture 4/5

Requires correct gender/number agreement.

Expression orale 5/5

The double 'rr' can be difficult for beginners.

Écoute 3/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to hear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

miedo tierra asustado estar muy

Apprends ensuite

aterrador aterrorizar pavor espanto horror

Avancé

angustia consternación trepidación pánico fobia

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Agreement

Las niñas están aterradas.

Estar vs Ser

Estoy aterrado (correct) vs Soy aterrado (incorrect).

Past Participles as Adjectives

El hombre aterrado (from aterrar).

Preposition 'de' with emotions

Aterrado de la muerte.

Preposition 'por' for cause

Aterrado por el rayo.

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Exemples par niveau

El gato está aterrado por el perro.

The cat is terrified by the dog.

Use 'está' for the state of fear.

Yo estoy aterrado en la oscuridad.

I am terrified in the dark.

Aterrado agrees with 'yo' (masculine).

Mi hermana está aterrada.

My sister is terrified.

Aterrada is feminine singular.

¿Estás aterrado?

Are you terrified?

Question form using 'estás'.

El niño está aterrado de los monstruos.

The boy is terrified of monsters.

Use 'de' for the object of fear.

No estés aterrado, yo estoy aquí.

Don't be terrified, I am here.

Negative imperative 'no estés'.

Ellos están aterrados por el ruido.

They are terrified by the noise.

Aterrados is masculine plural.

Vemos a un hombre aterrado.

We see a terrified man.

Adjective modifying 'hombre'.

Ayer estábamos aterrados por la tormenta.

Yesterday we were terrified by the storm.

Imperfect tense 'estábamos' for ongoing state.

Ella se sintió aterrada cuando perdió su bolso.

She felt terrified when she lost her bag.

Preterite of 'sentirse'.

Los turistas estaban aterrados en el bosque.

The tourists were terrified in the forest.

Plural agreement.

Me quedé aterrado al ver la araña.

I was struck with terror when I saw the spider.

Use of 'quedarse' for sudden reaction.

Mi perro siempre está aterrado de los fuegos artificiales.

My dog is always terrified of fireworks.

Adverb 'siempre' with the state.

Estuvimos aterrados durante el terremoto.

We were terrified during the earthquake.

Preterite 'estuvimos' for a specific duration.

Ella no quería entrar porque estaba aterrada.

She didn't want to go in because she was terrified.

Causal clause with 'porque'.

Él camina con un aire aterrado.

He walks with a terrified air.

Adjective modifying 'aire'.

El testigo, aún aterrado, no podía declarar.

The witness, still terrified, could not testify.

Parenthetical adjective usage.

Me siento aterrado ante la idea de hablar en público.

I feel terrified at the idea of public speaking.

Preposition 'ante' for facing a situation.

Estaban aterradas por las noticias que llegaban del frente.

They were terrified by the news coming from the front.

Feminine plural agreement.

Un grito aterrado se escuchó en la noche.

A terrified scream was heard in the night.

Adjective modifying 'grito'.

Aunque estaba aterrado, decidió seguir adelante.

Although he was terrified, he decided to keep going.

Concessive clause with 'aunque'.

Quedamos aterrados por la violencia del impacto.

We were terrified by the violence of the impact.

Preterite of 'quedar' for reaction.

Ella vive aterrada de que algo malo le pase a sus hijos.

She lives in terror that something bad might happen to her children.

The verb 'vivir' used to show a persistent state.

El pueblo entero estaba aterrado por los rumores.

The whole town was terrified by the rumors.

Collective subject 'el pueblo' takes singular.

El mercado financiero está aterrado ante la posible inflación.

The financial market is terrified of possible inflation.

Abstract usage for social/economic contexts.

Aterrado por el fracaso, el artista destruyó su obra.

Terrified of failure, the artist destroyed his work.

Participial phrase at the beginning of the sentence.

No podemos permitir que el miedo nos deje aterrados y sin acción.

We cannot allow fear to leave us terrified and without action.

Subjunctive 'deje' followed by adjective.

Las comunidades permanecen aterradas tras el paso del huracán.

The communities remain terrified after the passage of the hurricane.

Verb 'permanecer' to show duration.

Se sentía aterrado, como si el suelo fuera a abrirse bajo sus pies.

He felt terrified, as if the ground were going to open up under his feet.

Simile with 'como si' + past subjunctive.

Aterrada, la mujer llamó a la policía de inmediato.

Terrified, the woman called the police immediately.

Adjective used as a sentence modifier.

El rostro aterrado del niño reflejaba el horror de la guerra.

The boy's terrified face reflected the horror of the war.

Adjective modifying 'rostro'.

Muchos ciudadanos están aterrados por la falta de seguridad.

Many citizens are terrified by the lack of security.

Plural masculine agreement.

La prosa de Poe nos sumerge en un mundo de personajes aterrados.

Poe's prose plunges us into a world of terrified characters.

Literary context.

Aterrado de su propia sombra, el tirano se encerró en su palacio.

Terrified of his own shadow, the tyrant locked himself in his palace.

Metaphorical usage.

El silencio era tan denso que resultaba aterrado.

The silence was so dense that it was terrifying.

Note: Here it describes the atmosphere, similar to 'aterrador'.

Se mostraba aterrado ante la inminencia de su propio fin.

He appeared terrified before the imminence of his own end.

Reflexive 'mostrarse' + adjective.

Las víctimas, aterradas y exhaustas, apenas podían mantenerse en pie.

The victims, terrified and exhausted, could barely stay on their feet.

Multiple adjectives in agreement.

Un análisis del discurso revela una población aterrada por el cambio.

An analysis of the discourse reveals a population terrified of change.

Academic context.

Aterrado por la magnitud del descubrimiento, el científico guardó silencio.

Terrified by the magnitude of the discovery, the scientist kept silent.

Participial phrase.

La mirada aterrada del animal era insoportable de ver.

The animal's terrified gaze was unbearable to see.

Adjective modifying 'mirada'.

El existencialismo explora la psique del hombre aterrado ante la nada.

Existentialism explores the psyche of man terrified by nothingness.

Philosophical context.

Aterrado por el peso de la responsabilidad, el monarca abdicó.

Terrified by the weight of responsibility, the monarch abdicated.

Metaphorical 'peso' (weight).

La orquesta interpretó el pasaje con un crescendo aterrado.

The orchestra performed the passage with a terrified crescendo.

Describing musical dynamics.

En su fuero interno, se sentía aterrado de que la farsa fuera descubierta.

In his heart of hearts, he felt terrified that the farce would be discovered.

Idiom 'en su fuero interno'.

La dialéctica entre el aterrado y el aterrador define muchas relaciones de poder.

The dialectic between the terrified and the terrifying defines many power relationships.

Substantivized adjectives.

Aterrado por la vacuidad de su existencia, buscó refugio en el arte.

Terrified by the vacuity of his existence, he sought refuge in art.

High-level vocabulary 'vacuidad'.

Su reacción, un silencio aterrado, fue más elocuente que cualquier palabra.

His reaction, a terrified silence, was more eloquent than any word.

Appositive phrase.

El autor retrata una aristocracia aterrada por el ascenso de la plebe.

The author portrays an aristocracy terrified by the rise of the common people.

Historical/Social context.

Synonymes

horrorizado espantado apavorado petrificado pavoroso atemorizado estupefacto muerto de miedo

Antonymes

valiente tranquilo calmado audaz

Collocations courantes

estar aterrado

quedarse aterrado

sentirse aterrado

grito aterrado

mirada aterrada

totalmente aterrado

pueblo aterrado

testigo aterrado

rostro aterrado

vivir aterrado

Phrases Courantes

Aterrado de miedo

— Redundant but used for emphasis: 'Terrified with fear'.

Entró en la cueva aterrado de miedo.

Estar aterrado por las consecuencias

— Specifically fearing the results of an action.

Está aterrado por las consecuencias de su mentira.

Un silencio aterrado

— A silence that feels heavy with fear.

Hubo un silencio aterrado tras el disparo.

Quedar aterrado ante algo

— To be struck with terror in front of something.

Quedó aterrado ante la magnitud de la ola.

Aterrado por la incertidumbre

— Terrified by not knowing what will happen.

Estamos aterrados por la incertidumbre económica.

Mirar aterrado

— To look at something with terror in one's eyes.

Miraba aterrado hacia la puerta.

Correr aterrado

— To run away in a state of terror.

El animal corrió aterrado hacia el bosque.

Despertar aterrado

— To wake up from a nightmare in terror.

Despertó aterrado a mitad de la noche.

Estar aterrado de morir

— A common human existential fear.

Mucha gente está aterrada de morir sola.

Aterrado por el futuro

— Fearing what is to come.

La juventud está aterrada por el futuro del planeta.

Souvent confondu avec

aterrado vs aterrizado

Means 'landed' (like a plane). Very common mistake.

aterrado vs aterrador

Means 'terrifying' (the cause), not 'terrified' (the feeling).

aterrado vs aterrado (earth)

In very old Spanish, it meant 'covered in earth', but this is rare now.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Poner los pelos de punta"

— To make one's hair stand on end (to terrify someone).

Esa película me puso los pelos de punta, estaba aterrado.

Informal

"No llegarle la camisa al cuerpo"

— To be extremely scared or anxious.

No le llegaba la camisa al cuerpo, estaba aterrado de que lo pillaran.

Colloquial (Spain)

"Cagarse de miedo"

— Very vulgar way to say one is terrified.

Se cagó de miedo cuando vio al ladrón.

Vulgar

"Temblar como una hoja"

— To shake like a leaf.

Estaba aterrada y temblaba como una hoja.

Neutral

"Hacerse pipí de miedo"

— To be so terrified one almost pees.

El pobre niño se hizo pipí de miedo, estaba aterrado.

Informal

"Tener el corazón en un puño"

— To be very worried or terrified.

Tenía el corazón en un puño, aterrada por la operación.

Idiomatic

"Quedarse de piedra"

— To be stunned or petrified by fear/shock.

Se quedó de piedra, aterrado por lo que vio.

Neutral

"Faltarle el aliento"

— To be so terrified one can't breathe.

Le faltaba el aliento, estaba aterrado.

Neutral

"No salirle la voz"

— To be so terrified one can't speak.

Estaba tan aterrada que no le salía la voz.

Neutral

"Sentir un escalofrío"

— To feel a chill (of terror).

Sintió un escalofrío aterrado por toda la espalda.

Neutral

Facile à confondre

aterrado vs Aterrizado

Similar spelling and same root (tierra).

Aterrizado refers to a plane reaching the ground. Aterrado refers to being terrified.

El avión ha aterrizado, pero yo sigo aterrado.

aterrado vs Aterrador

Both come from the verb aterrar.

Aterrador describes the object (the movie). Aterrado describes the person (the viewer).

La película es aterradora y yo estoy aterrado.

aterrado vs Asustado

Both mean scared.

Asustado is mild or general fear. Aterrado is extreme, paralyzing terror.

No estoy asustado, estoy aterrado.

aterrado vs Horrorizado

Both express strong negative emotion.

Horrorizado often implies moral shock or disgust. Aterrado is more about personal danger.

Estoy horrorizado por lo que hiciste, pero aterrado de que nos pillen.

aterrado vs Espantado

Both mean frightened.

Espantado is often a sudden reaction to a surprise. Aterrado is a deeper state of terror.

Me dejó espantado con el susto, pero ahora estoy aterrado por la situación.

Structures de phrases

Sujeto + estar + aterrado.

Yo estoy aterrado.

Sujeto + estar + aterrado + de + sustantivo.

Ella está aterrada de los perros.

Sujeto + quedarse + aterrado + al + infinitivo.

Él se quedó aterrado al ver el oso.

Aterrado por + causa, + sujeto + verbo.

Aterrado por el ruido, el niño lloró.

Sujeto + mostrarse + aterrado + ante + situación.

El gobierno se muestra aterrado ante la crisis.

Sustantivado: Los + aterrados + verbo.

Los aterrados huían del edificio.

Sentirse + aterrado.

Me siento aterrado hoy.

Sujeto + parecer + aterrado.

Pareces aterrado, ¿qué pasó?

Famille de mots

Noms

terror

aterramiento

Verbes

aterrar

aterrorizar

Adjectifs

aterrado

aterradora

aterrorizado

terrorífico

Apparenté

tierra

enterrar

aterrizar

terremoto

terrestre

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in literature and media, moderate in daily speech.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'ser aterrado' → Estar aterrado
Fear is a state, not a permanent characteristic. Use 'estar'.
Confusing with 'aterrizado' → aterrado
Aterrizado means landed (plane). Aterrado means terrified.
Forgetting gender agreement → Ella está aterrada
Adjectives must match the gender of the subject.
Using 'aterrado' for mild fear → asustado
Aterrado is for extreme terror. Using it for small things sounds melodramatic.
Confusing 'aterrado' and 'aterrador' → La película es aterradora
Aterrador is 'terrifying' (the cause); aterrado is 'terrified' (the feeling).

Astuces

Level Up Your Fear

Instead of saying 'muy asustado', use 'aterrado' to sound more like a native and convey more emotion.

Agreement Matters

Always remember: aterrado (m), aterrada (f), aterrados (mp), aterradas (fp). This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

The Double R

Don't rush the 'rr'. Take your time to make it vibrate. It's the soul of the word!

Movie Night

Watch a Spanish horror movie. You will hear 'aterrado' or 'aterrador' multiple times. It's the best way to learn the context.

Show, Don't Just Tell

When you use 'aterrado', describe the physical symptoms: 'Estaba aterrado; sus manos temblaban y no podía respirar'.

Regional Variations

In Spain, 'acojonado' is a very common informal way to say 'aterrado', but be careful as it's a bit vulgar.

Root Memory

Remember 'terra' (earth). Aterrado = pushed to the earth by fear.

News Alerts

Listen to news reports about natural disasters. You'll hear 'población aterrada' frequently.

Nuance

Use 'horrorizado' if you are shocked by something bad, but 'aterrado' if you are personally afraid.

Daily Routine

Describe one thing that makes you 'aterrado' every day to practice the sentence structure.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'A-TERRA-do'. When you are terrified, you feel like you are being pushed to the 'TERRA' (earth).

Association visuelle

Imagine a person lying flat on the ground (terra) because they are too scared to stand up. That person is aterrado.

Word Web

miedo terror tierra aterrar espanto susto pánico fobia

Défi

Try to use 'aterrado' three times today when describing a movie or a news story instead of using 'asustado'.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'ad-' (towards) and 'terra' (earth/ground).

Sens originel : To throw to the ground or to knock down.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using this word in medical contexts; it implies a very severe state.

English speakers often say 'I'm terrified', which is a perfect match for 'Estoy aterrado'.

Aterrados (2017 Argentinian horror film) La caída de la casa Usher (Poe, Spanish translation) Horacio Quiroga's 'Cuentos de amor, de locura y de muerte'

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Horror Movies

La película me dejó aterrado
Escenas aterradoras
Gritos aterrados
Público aterrado

Natural Disasters

Aterrados por el sismo
Gente aterrada en las calles
Testimonios aterrados
Estar aterrado por el fuego

Personal Phobias

Aterrado de las alturas
Aterrada de las serpientes
Vivir aterrado
Sentirse aterrado

Unexpected News

Quedar aterrado por la noticia
Un mensaje aterrado
Estar aterrado de lo que vendrá
Mirada aterrada

Nightmares

Despertar aterrado
Un sueño aterrado
Estar aterrado en la cama
Sentirse aterrado al despertar

Amorces de conversation

"¿Alguna vez te has sentido aterrado por algo que viste en la televisión?"

"¿Qué es lo que más te deja aterrado en una película de terror?"

"¿Te has quedado aterrado alguna vez por un ruido en mitad de la noche?"

"¿Crees que la gente está aterrada por el cambio climático?"

"¿Cuál es el momento en el que más aterrado has estado en tu vida?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe una situación en la que estuviste aterrado y cómo lograste calmarte.

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

¿Qué diferencia hay para ti entre estar asustado y estar aterrado?

Relata una pesadilla que te haya dejado aterrado al despertar.

Imagina un mundo donde nadie se siente aterrado. ¿Cómo sería?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

'Asustado' es la palabra general para tener miedo. 'Aterrado' es mucho más fuerte, significa que tienes un terror inmenso que casi te paraliza. Es la diferencia entre tener miedo a un examen y tener miedo a un león.

No, generalmente no. Usamos 'estar' porque el terror es un estado emocional o temporal. Decir 'soy aterrado' significaría que tu personalidad permanente es estar aterrorizado, lo cual no es natural en español.

Se dice 'aterrada'. Recuerda que en español los adjetivos deben coincidir con el género de la persona.

Sí, es muy común en noticias, películas de terror y literatura. En la conversación diaria, la gente a veces prefiere 'muerto de miedo', pero 'aterrado' se usa mucho para dar énfasis.

Usamos 'de' para el objeto del miedo (aterrado de las arañas) y 'por' para la causa o el agente (aterrado por el ruido).

¡Sí! Etimológicamente viene de 'a' + 'tierra'. La idea original era derribar a alguien al suelo. Estar 'aterrado' es como estar tan asustado que te caes al suelo.

Sí, puedes decir que un animal está aterrado. También puedes usarlo metafóricamente para cosas como 'un pueblo aterrado' o 'un mercado aterrado'.

Son casi idénticos. 'Aterrorizado' es el participio de 'aterrorizar'. Ambos significan lo mismo, pero 'aterrado' es un poco más común en el habla cotidiana.

Es un sonido vibrante múltiple. Debes hacer vibrar la punta de la lengua contra el paladar. Es el sonido más difícil para los angloparlantes.

No es lo más común. Lo correcto es 'aterrado de' o 'aterrado ante'. Por ejemplo: 'aterrado ante el peligro'.

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