Portuguese Phrase
Tenho medo de errar.
Meaning
Literally ‘I have fear of to err’, the natural English equivalent is ‘I’m afraid of making a mistake.’ It conveys personal anxiety about doing something incorrectly.
When to use
Use this sentence whenever you want to admit a nervous feeling about a task – before a presentation, while learning a new skill, or when you’re about to take a test. It’s a polite, self‑deprecating way to explain hesitation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenhomedodeerrar
Tenho (ter)
First‑person singular present of the verb *ter* (to have). Used to express possession of feelings, e.g., *tenho medo* = I have fear.
medo (noun)
A masculine noun meaning ‘fear’. It normally follows *ter* and is linked to the cause with the preposition *de*.
de (preposition)
Connects the noun *medo* to an infinitive verb, indicating what the speaker is afraid of.
errar (infinitive)
Infinitive form of the verb *errar* ‘to err, to make a mistake’. After *de* it expresses the action that causes the fear.
🗨In Conversation
Você vai apresentar o projeto amanhã?
Are you presenting the project tomorrow?
Tenho medo de errar.
I’m afraid of making a mistake.
✕Common Mistakes
Tem medo de errar.
Use *tenho* for first‑person; *tem* is third‑person singular (he/she has).
Tenho medo de erro.
After *medo* you need an infinitive verb, not a noun.
Tenho medo de errei.
Do not conjugate the verb after *de*; keep it in infinitive form.
↔Alternatives
Tenho receio de errar.
I’m apprehensive about making a mistake.
Tenho medo de cometer erros.
I’m afraid of committing errors.
Tenho medo de falhar.
I’m afraid of failing.
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, *ter medo de* is the most common way to talk about fear. *Receio* sounds a bit more formal and is often used in written or professional contexts. Avoid mixing the noun *medo* with a noun (*medo de erro*); the infinitive (*errar*) is required after *de*.