French word

préoccupation

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁeokypasjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounconcern

Example

Ta préoccupation est normale.

Your concern is normal.

Illustration for préoccupation (concern)

More examples

Les parents ont une préoccupation pour la sécurité des enfants.

The parents have a concern for the safety of the children.

Core concept

One persistent concern filling the foreground of the mind while attention to other tasks fades.

Common phrases

  • partager une préoccupation

    share a concern

  • une préoccupation pour la sécurité

    a concern for safety

Similar words

souci: A small everyday worry or source of unease.
inquiétude: A distinct anxiety about a particular event or situation.

Definition in French

État où un souci occupe l'esprit et gêne la concentration sur d'autres activités.

Word origin

The noun is a learned borrowing from Latin praeoccupatio, built from prae, 'before', and occupare, 'occupy'.

Usage tips

  • Préoccupation is somewhat more formal than souci, while inquiétude more directly emphasizes anxious feeling.

Other meanings

  • worrynoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word