rayarse

Rayarse is a colloquial Spanish verb, used primarily in informal speech. It is reflexive (rayarse) and denotes a state of mental strain, overthinking, or becoming preoccupied and worried about something. People often say “me estoy rayando” or “estoy rayado/a” to express that they are overanalyzing a situation or stressing about it. A milder command, “no te rayes,” translates roughly as “don’t worry about it” or “don’t get worked up.”

Usage and nuances vary by region, but rayarse generally carries a negative or anxious connotation. In many contexts it can also imply losing composure or reacting excessively to news or events, as in “se rayó con la noticia.” The expression is common in Spain and in various Latin American countries, where it appears in everyday conversation and online speech. Formal alternatives include “preocuparse en exceso” or “obsesionarse,” though these lack the casual, idiomatic feel of rayarse.

Etymology is uncertain and often traced to the verb rayar, meaning to scratch or mark with lines. The metaphorical shift to mental agitation is widely accepted in usage, though precise historical development is not definitively established.

See also: Preocuparse en exceso; Obsesionarse; No te rayes.