Translation guide
How to express that something is causing worry, preoccupation, or mental burden in Japanese.
To say that a problem, thought, or situation is causing anxiety or mental distress.
Literally 'become mind/attention'. This is the most common and versatile way to say something is on your mind, bothering you, or you can't stop thinking about it. It can range from mild curiosity to serious worry.
彼の言葉が気になる。
His words weigh on my mind.
試験の結果が気になって眠れない。
I can't sleep because the exam results are weighing on my mind.
Means 'to be worried'. Use this when the mental weight is specifically anxiety or concern about something.
母の健康が心配だ。
My mother's health weighs on my mind.
Similar to 心配 but slightly more formal/literary. It means something is a source of anxiety or unease.
彼の将来が気がかりだ。
His future weighs on my mind.
To worry excessively, to take something to heart and fret over it. Often used when someone is brooding over a mistake or problem.
そんな小さなミスを気に病まなくてもいいよ。
You don't need to let such a small mistake weigh on your mind.
To express that a thought, memory, or idea keeps coming back and occupies your mind.
Literally 'won't leave my head'. This is a very natural way to say something is stuck in your mind, often used for songs, memories, or persistent thoughts.
あの曲が頭から離れない。
That song is weighing on my mind (I can't get it out of my head).
彼女の最後の言葉が頭から離れない。
Her last words weigh on my mind.
Means something is 'caught in one's heart/mind', implying a nagging feeling or something that bothers you subtly.
彼の言い方が心に引っかかる。
The way he said it weighs on my mind.
Literally 'mind scatters'. Used when something is distracting you or weighing on your mind so that you can't concentrate.
To express that a past action or decision is causing feelings of guilt or remorse.
Means feeling guilty or having a guilty conscience. It describes the state of mind when you've done something wrong and it bothers you.
彼に嘘をついたことが後ろめたい。
Lying to him weighs on my mind.
To feel a prick of conscience, to feel guilty about something. Often used when hesitating to do something because it feels wrong.
Literally 'conscience hurts'. A stronger expression for when guilt is actively painful.
彼を裏切ったことで良心が痛む。
Betraying him weighs on my mind (my conscience hurts).
気になる is broader and can be used for anything that catches your attention, from mild curiosity to serious worry. 心配だ specifically means 'worried' and implies a stronger negative emotion about a potential bad outcome.
Avoid directly translating 'weigh on one's mind' into Japanese. Phrases like 心に重くのしかかる are not idiomatic and sound unnatural.
The noise from the next room weighs on my mind and I can't study.
休日に仕事を休むのは気が咎める。
Taking a day off work weighs on my mind (I feel guilty about it).