бояться vs пугаться
boyát'sya vs pugát'sya — be afraid vs get frightened/startled
Register: neutral
What it really means
Бояться names an enduring fear, concern, or reluctance: a person can fear heights, dogs, or making a mistake. Пугаться is the reaction of becoming frightened or startled by a sound, sight, or sudden event.
Examples in natural speech
Я боюсь высоты.
I am afraid of heights.
Не пугайся, это просто гром.
Do not be frightened; it is only thunder.
Дети боятся темноты.
Children are afraid of the dark.
Она пугается резких звуков.
She gets startled by sudden noises.
Он боится ошибиться.
He is afraid of making a mistake.
Common mistakes
Do not substitute пугаться for a lasting phobia: Я боюсь собак means “I am afraid of dogs.” Пугаться собак describes being startled when dogs appear. Likewise, бояться is not the usual verb for the immediate jolt caused by a bang.
Memory tip
Бояться is a fear stored in the background; пугаться is the jump when the door suddenly bangs.
Frequently asked questions
Which case follows бояться?
Бояться takes the genitive: бояться высоты, собак, ошибки. With an infinitive, use бояться опоздать or бояться ошибиться.
Can пугаться describe a repeated reaction?
Yes. Ребёнок пугается громких звуков means the child is regularly startled by them, even though each reaction is immediate.
What is the perfective of пугаться?
Испугаться means to become frightened once: Она испугалась шума. It contrasts with бояться шума, an ongoing fear of noise.
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