Translation guide
The feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. Japanese has several words for anxiety, ranging from clinical terms to everyday expressions.
Expressing a general feeling of anxiety or worry about something.
The most common and versatile word for anxiety, worry, or unease. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
明日の試験が不安だ。
I'm anxious about tomorrow's exam.
彼は将来に不安を感じている。
He feels anxiety about the future.
Often translated as 'worry' or 'concern'. Slightly less intense than 不安 and commonly used for everyday concerns.
そんなに心配しないで。
Don't worry so much.
母はいつも私の健康を心配している。
My mother is always anxious about my health.
A slightly formal or literary term for something that weighs on one's mind. Implies lingering worry.
彼の安否が気がかりだ。
I'm anxious about his safety.
Referring to anxiety as a medical or psychological condition.
The clinical term for 'anxiety disorder'. Used in medical contexts.
彼女は不安障害と診断された。
She was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
A less formal term for anxiety disorder, often used in self-help or general discussions.
不安症を克服する方法
ways to overcome anxiety
Anxiety specifically related to social situations.
The standard term for social anxiety. Often used in the compound 社交不安障害 (social anxiety disorder).
社交不安で人前で話せない。
I can't speak in public because of social anxiety.
A Japanese-specific term for intense fear of interpersonal situations, similar to social anxiety disorder. Often used in clinical psychology.
対人恐怖の症状
symptoms of social anxiety
Describing the physical or emotional state of being anxious.
Means 'to get nervous' or 'to feel tense'. Commonly used for situational anxiety like before a speech or exam.
面接で緊張してしまった。
I got nervous during the interview.
Onomatopoeic expression for a pounding heart due to nervousness or excitement. Very casual.
初デートでドキドキした。
I was nervous on my first date.
Describes restlessness or fidgeting due to anxiety. Often used when waiting for something.
結果を待っている間、そわそわしていた。
I was anxious while waiting for the results.
Talking about anxiety causing suffering or mental anguish.
Refers to deep mental suffering or anguish, often including anxiety. More intense and literary.
彼は人生の意味について苦悩している。
He is anguished about the meaning of life.
A rare, literary term for deep anxiety and distress. Often used in philosophical or poetic contexts.
不安 (fuan) is a broader, more abstract feeling of anxiety or insecurity, while 心配 (shinpai) is more concrete worry about a specific thing. 不安 is often used for existential or future-oriented anxiety, whereas 心配 is used for everyday concerns like someone's health or a test result.
将来が不安だ。
I'm anxious about the future. (existential)
試験の結果が心配だ。
I'm worried about the exam results. (specific)
English speakers often say 'I'm anxious' for mild nervousness, but in Japanese, 不安 can sound heavier. For everyday nervousness, use 緊張する or ドキドキする instead.
After much anguish, I made a decision.