French word

préoccuper

Pronunciation

IPA/pʁeokype/

Meaning

  • verbworry about

Example

Elle se préoccupe de son travail.

She worries about her work.

Illustration for préoccuper (worry about)

More examples

Cette nouvelle me préoccupe.

This news worries me.

Core concept

A matter occupies the mind in advance, drawing sustained attention and concern.

Common phrases

  • se préoccuper de

    be concerned about ___

  • préoccuper quelqu'un

    worry someone

Similar words

s'inquiéter: To worry about what may happen or about a troubling event.
se soucier: To consider something important and pay attention to it.
inquiéter: To make someone feel concern or anxiety about a situation.
se tracasser: To fret over minor matters for a long time and lose peace of mind.

Definition in French

Se préoccuper de quelque chose: avoir des préoccupations ou des pensées inquiètes à propos d'un sujet; s'emploie pour exprimer une inquiétude personnelle ou générale.

Word origin

French préoccuper comes from Latin praeoccupare, meaning to occupy beforehand, and se préoccuper retains this idea of the mind being taken up by a matter.

Usage tips

  • The concerned sense normally uses the reflexive form se préoccuper de, with de before a noun or an infinitive.

Other meanings

  • concern ___verb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word