preocupar
to worry
To cause or feel anxiety, or to take responsibility for handling something
Encoding Strategies:
linguistic
preoccupy
preoccupy
+
-ar
verb suffix
Preocupar means to worry and turns the English word preoccupy0 into a verb1, since something that worries you will naturally preoccupy your mind.
preocupar
to worry, to concern
When something external is causing someone to worry.
Me preocupa el examenThe exam worries me
Le preocupa la salud de su madreHis mother's health concerns him
preocuparse
to worry, to be concerned
The reflexive form shifts the focus to the person themselves, who is actively worrying about something.
No te preocupesDon't worry
Se preocupa demasiado por todoShe is concerned about everything too much
to take care of, to see to, to make sure
When your mind is preoccupied with something, you naturally take responsibility for it.
Yo me preocupo de la cenaI'll take care of dinner
Él se preocupa de que todo esté listoHe makes sure everything is ready