ansiedad
nounCEFR B1
What does “ansiedad” mean in English?
anxiety — persistent feeling of worry or unease; clinical or psychological sense
Example sentences
La médica le explicó que tenía ansiedad generalizada y que el tratamiento incluiría terapia psicológica además de los medicamentos que le había recetado.
The doctor explained to him that he had generalised anxiety and that the treatment would include psychological therapy as well as the medication she had prescribed.
Notaba que la ansiedad empeoraba por las noches, así que el psicólogo le recomendó que practicara técnicas de respiración antes de acostarse.
She noticed the anxiety worsened at night, so the psychologist recommended she practise breathing techniques before going to bed.
How to use it
La ansiedad (feminine: la, las) means clinical or everyday anxiety — the persistent feeling of worry, tension, or unease. Common collocations: tener ansiedad, sentir ansiedad, sufrir ansiedad, un ataque de ansiedad. It is a formal-register noun used in medical and psychological contexts. The adjective form is ansioso/a: estar ansioso (to feel anxious). Distinguish from nerviosismo (general nervousness) and estrés (stress as external pressure). In clinical contexts, la ansiedad is often paired with la depresión as a co-occurring condition.
Common mistake
Ansiedad is not a direct register-neutral synonym of worry — use preocupación for everyday worry and ansiedad for more sustained, clinical unease. Do not say *estoy ansioso* meaning 'I am eager' (that sense exists but is separate); in health contexts estar ansioso almost always means to feel anxious rather than eager.