Expressing Fear: Dar

This grammar pattern works like a mirror. The thing that causes the fear is the subject. You, the person feeling it, are the object. We use Indirect Object Pronouns to show who is scared. These are me, te, le, nos, os, and les. The verb dar changes based on what causes the fear. If one thing scares you, use da. If multiple things scare you, use dan. It is just like saying "The pizza pleases me." Here, you say "The spider gives fear to me." It might feel backwards at first. Do not worry; your brain will adapt quickly. It is like learning to drive on the other side of the road. Once you get the rhythm, it feels totally natural. You are not the "doer" here; you are the receiver of the feeling.

1. 1To build a sentence, follow these simple steps:
2. 2Start with the Indirect Object Pronoun (me, te, le, etc.).
3. 3Add the verb dar conjugated in the third person (da or dan).
4. 4Add the noun miedo or a similar word like pánico.
5. 5If you want to mention an action, add que.
6. 6Use the Subjunctive Mood for the following verb if the subject changes.
7. 7Example: Me da miedo que tú conduzcas rápido.
8. 8In this sentence, me is the person feeling fear. Da is the verb. Miedo is the noun. Que connects the thought. Conduzcas is the subjunctive form of conducir. This happens because I am expressing an emotion about your action. If I am talking about my own action, I use the infinitive. Example: Me da miedo conducir. No que is needed there. It is like a grammar traffic light. The que tells you to switch the verb ending.

Use this pattern whenever something triggers an emotional reaction of fear. It is perfect for talking about phobias like heights or snakes. You can use it in a job interview to show humility. For example, Me da miedo no estar preparado. It is great for travel scenarios too. You might say Me da miedo que el avión salga tarde. Use it when watching horror movies with friends. It is also useful for social situations. Maybe you are nervous about meeting your partner's parents. You would say Me da miedo que no les guste. It covers everything from tiny bugs to big life changes. It is a very versatile tool for your Spanish toolkit. If it makes your heart race, dar miedo is your best friend.

Do not use this if you want to say "I am a scary person." If you say Doy miedo, you are the monster in the movie! To say you are scared, you must use the pronoun me. Also, do not use the subjunctive if there is no subject change. If I am scared of my own driving, I use the infinitive. Me da miedo conducir is correct. Me da miedo que yo conduzca sounds very robotic and weird. Avoid using dar miedo for physical cold or hunger. Those use the verb tener. For example, Tengo frío or Tengo hambre. Dar miedo is strictly for the emotion of fear. Finally, do not forget the pronoun. Da miedo without me or te just means "It is scary" in general. It does not specify who is feeling it.

Many people try to translate "I am afraid" literally. They say Yo soy miedo, which means "I am fear." That sounds like a line from a comic book villain! Another common slip is using the wrong pronoun. People often use yo instead of me. Remember, the fear is being "given" to you. Another big one is the verb ending. Learners often say Me da miedo que él viene. Since fear is an emotion, you must use the subjunctive: venga. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes in very casual speech. But for your exams and clear communication, the subjunctive is key. Don't let the "backwards" structure trip you up. Think of the pronoun as the most important part. It tells us who is shaking in their boots!

You might know Tener miedo. This is very similar but has a different focus. Tener miedo is like saying "I have fear." It describes your state of being. Dar miedo focuses on the thing that causes the fear. Tener miedo is often followed by de. Example: Tengo miedo de los perros. Dar miedo is more active. Example: Los perros me dan miedo. They both mean the same thing in the end. However, dar miedo is much more common when using the subjunctive. Another similar phrase is dar asco (to be disgusted). They both follow the "Gustar" structure. If you can use me gusta, you can use me da miedo. It is the same mental map. Just swap the pleasure for a little bit of fright.