preocupación

/pɾeokupaˈθjon/ · B1 · noun · f

anxiety, worry

pre + ocupación = occupied before it happens: your mind is busy ahead of time

From Latin praeoccupatio, 'seizing beforehand'. A preocupación takes up your attention before the event even arrives. English preoccupation is the same word. The verb is preocuparse: ¿Te preocupa? means 'Does it worry you?'

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