Chinese word

担心

Pronunciation

Pinyindān xīn

Meaning

  • verbworry

Example

别担心，我马上回来。bié dān xīn wǒ mǎ shàng huí lái

Don't worry, I'll be right back.

Illustration for 担心 (worry)

More examples

她很担心孩子的安全。tā hěn dān xīn hái zi de ān quán

She is very worried about her child's safety.

Core concept

A mind carries a troubling person or possibility as a weight, so it cannot settle.

Common phrases

  • 为孩子担心wèi hái zi dān xīn

    worry about one's child

  • 不用担心bú yòng dān xīn

    no need to worry

  • 担心健康dān xīn jiàn kāng

    worry about one's health

Similar words

担忧dān yōu: To feel anxious and concerned about a matter or possible danger.
忧虑yōu lǜ: To remain troubled by worry until the mind feels weighed down.
发愁fā chóu: To feel worried about a problem and think hard about a way forward.

Definition in Chinese

因担忧或害怕某事而感到不安或挂念。yīn dān yōu huò hài pà mǒu shì ér gǎn dào bù ān huò guà niàn

Word origin

担 (dān, "to carry on the shoulders") + 心 (xīn, "heart") presents concern as a burden carried in the heart, giving the word its sense of unease.

Usage tips

  • Chinese uses 担心 (dānxīn, "to worry") directly before the person or thing causing concern, so the pattern is subject + 担心 + object without an added preposition.

Other meanings

  • anxiousadjective
  • care aboutverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word