Japanese word

心配

Pronunciation

Romajishinpai

Meaning

  • nounworry

Example

旅行の心配はありません。ryo kō no shin pai wa a ri ma se n

There are no worries about the trip.

Illustration for 心配 (worry)

More examples

明日のテストが心配です。asu no te su to ga shin pai de su

I am worried about tomorrow's test.

小さな心配でも、友達に話してください。chii sa na shin pai de mo tomo dachi ni hana shi te ku da sa i

Please talk to a friend, even if the worry seems small.

Core concept

Expresses attention held by a possible problem or unwanted outcome.

Common phrases

  • 心配するshin pai su ru

    worry

  • 心配になるshin pai ni na ru

    feel worried

  • 心配がないshin pai ga na i

    have nothing to worry about

  • 心配を減らすshin pai o he ra su

    reduce worry

Similar words

不安fuan: A feeling of fear or unease about what may happen.
気掛かりkigakari: Something that remains on the mind as a source of concern.
悩みnayami: A problem or concern that troubles a person.

Definition in Japanese

物事の成り行きや悪い結果を気にして、落ち着かない気持ちになること。mono goto no na ri yu ki ya waru i kek ka o ki ni shi te o chi tsu ka na i ki mo chi ni na ru ko to

Word origin

心 (shin, "mind") and 配 (pai, "distribution") combine in this Sino-Japanese word; the compound describes the mind being directed toward a matter of concern.

Usage tips

  • 心配 (shinpai) is often used with する (suru), so 心配する (shinpai suru) is the everyday Japanese expression for "to worry."

Other meanings

  • concernnoun
  • anxietynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 心配性shinpaiseiworry-pronena-adjective

Word lists with this word