Tengo miedo al suspenso en el examen de español.

I am afraid of failing the Spanish exam.

Breakdown of Tengo miedo al suspenso en el examen de español.

• yo: I
• tener: to have
• en: in
• español: Spanish

Questions & Answers about Tengo miedo al suspenso en el examen de español.

Why is it «Tengo miedo» and not «Estoy miedo»?

In Spanish, fear is usually expressed with the verb tener (to have), not with estar (to be):

• Tengo miedo. = I’m afraid / I’m scared.
• Literally: I have fear.

«Estoy miedo» is incorrect in standard Spanish.
If you want to use estar, you change the structure:

• Estoy asustado / estoy asustada. = I’m scared.

So:

• Tengo miedo = I feel fear (general, very common).
• Estoy asustado = I am in a scared state (also common, but slightly different wording).

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What does «al» mean in «miedo al suspenso»?

«Al» is the contraction of «a + el».

• a = to / at
• el = the (masculine singular)
• a + el → al

So «tengo miedo al suspenso» literally is:

• I have fear *to the failing grade → *I’m afraid of failing.

You cannot say:

• ✗ tengo miedo a el suspenso
  You must contract:
• ✓ tengo miedo al suspenso

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Why is it «miedo al suspenso» and not «miedo de suspenso»?