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temeroso

fearful, timid

adjective teh-meh-ROH-soh Rare

Also means

afraid (of God), God-fearing

Usage Note

Temeroso usually means fearful or timid in the sense of being frightened of something — typically followed by de: temeroso del fracaso ('fearful of failure'). In a religious register, temeroso de Dios means 'God-fearing' and carries a positive connotation. The antonym is temerario (reckless), which is a false friend: temerario does NOT mean 'very fearful' but rather 'daring to the point of rashness'.

Examples

"El niño se mostró temeroso ante la oscuridad."

Natural Translation

The child appeared fearful in the darkness.

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