Translation guide
How to express doing something in a worried manner in Japanese. The most natural approach is often to use an adverb derived from an adjective meaning 'worried' or 'anxious', or to describe the action with a phrase indicating worry.
Describing an action done while feeling worried or anxious
The most common and natural way to say 'worriedly'. It comes from 心配 (worry) + そう (seems) + に (adverbial form). Used when someone's appearance or action shows worry.
彼は心配そうに私を見た。
He looked at me worriedly.
My mother called me worriedly.
Similar to 心配そうに, but 不安 emphasizes a feeling of unease or anxiety rather than specific worry. Often used for a more internal, vague anxiety.
彼女は不安そうに周りを見回した。
She looked around worriedly/anxiously.
A more literary or formal expression meaning 'with an air of concern'. 気遣わしい means 'worrisome' or 'concerning', and げに turns it into an adverb. Rare in casual speech.
先生は気遣わしげに生徒の顔をのぞき込んだ。
The teacher peered into the student's face worriedly.
Focusing on the facial expression of worry
Literally 'with a worried-looking face'. This is a very natural way to describe someone doing something with a worried expression.
彼は心配そうな顔でうなずいた。
He nodded worriedly (with a worried look).
A slightly more descriptive phrase meaning 'with an anxious expression'. 不安げ is a na-adjective meaning 'looking anxious'.
彼女は不安げな表情で手紙を読んでいた。
She was reading the letter worriedly (with an anxious expression).
Specifically for speaking in a worried tone
Common collocation for 'to ask worriedly'. The verb 聞く (to ask) is often paired with 心配そうに.
「大丈夫？」と彼は心配そうに聞いた。
"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.
Literally 'to say in a worried voice'. This emphasizes the tone of voice.
彼女は心配そうな声で「気をつけてね」と言った。
She said worriedly, "Take care."
In Japanese, adverbs like 心配そうに usually come right before the verb they modify. Unlike English, they don't typically go at the beginning or end of a sentence.
彼は心配そうに時計を見た。
He looked at the clock worriedly.
心配 (worry) is often about a specific concern or person, while 不安 (anxiety) is a more general, vague unease. Use 心配そうに when the worry is directed at something concrete, and 不安そうに for a more diffuse anxiety.