Translation guide
The English word 'worry' covers both a mental state of anxiety and the act of causing concern. In Japanese, different words and patterns are used depending on whether you are feeling worried, worrying about something, or causing someone else to worry.
Expressing that you are currently feeling worried, anxious, or uneasy about something.
The most common and versatile word for 'worry' or 'concern'. Can be used as a noun or a na-adjective.
明日の試験が心配です。
I'm worried about tomorrow's exam.
彼の健康が心配だ。
I'm worried about his health.
Refers to a deeper, more persistent feeling of anxiety or unease, often without a specific cause. More formal than 心配.
将来が不安です。
I'm anxious about the future.
彼は不安そうな顔をしている。
He has a worried look on his face.
A slightly literary or formal term for something that weighs on your mind. Often used in writing.
彼の安否が気がかりだ。
I'm worried about his safety.
Expressing that you are actively worrying or thinking about a problem.
The verb form of 心配. Use を to mark the thing you are worrying about.
母はいつも私のことを心配している。
My mother is always worrying about me.
お金のことを心配するな。
Don't worry about money.
Literally 'it's on my mind'. Used for things that bother or worry you, often in a nagging way.
彼の言ったことが気になる。
I'm worried about what he said.
試験の結果が気になって眠れない。
I can't sleep because I'm worried about the exam results.
To be concerned or bothered about something, often used for minor worries or when telling someone not to mind something.
そんな小さなことを気にするな。
Don't worry about such a small thing.
彼は他人の目を気にしすぎる。
He worries too much about what others think.
To be troubled or to agonize over something. Implies deeper, often personal distress.
Expressing that you are making someone else worried or concerned.
The standard phrase for causing worry. Literally 'to hang worry on someone'.
親に心配をかけてはいけない。
You mustn't make your parents worry.
ご心配をおかけしてすみません。
I'm sorry for causing you worry.
Causative form of 心配する. Used when you make someone worry.
彼をあまり心配させないで。
Don't make him worry too much.
Reassuring someone or telling them not to be concerned.
The most common way to say 'Don't worry'. Casual but polite enough for many situations.
心配しないで、大丈夫だから。
Don't worry, it'll be fine.
Means 'Don't mind it' or 'Don't let it bother you'. Used for minor concerns or when someone apologizes.
気にしないで、誰にでもあることだよ。
Don't worry about it, it happens to everyone.
Literally 'It's okay/alright'. Often used to reassure someone that there's no need to worry.
Referring to a specific worry or source of anxiety.
A worry or concern; something that causes anxiety.
最近、心配事が多くて眠れない。
Lately I have so many worries that I can't sleep.
A trouble, worry, or personal problem that causes distress.
心配 is the general word for worry about a specific thing. 不安 is a deeper, more vague anxiety or unease. 不安 is often used for existential or future-oriented anxiety.
English often uses 'worry' in phrases like 'I'm worried that...' which can be translated directly, but sometimes Japanese uses different constructions. For example, 'I'm worried it might rain' is more naturally expressed as 雨が降らないか心配だ (literally 'I'm worried whether it won't rain').
I'm worried about my future.
人間関係で悩むことが多い。
I often worry about relationships.
大丈夫、きっとうまくいくよ。
Don't worry, it'll definitely work out.
悩みを誰かに相談したい。
I want to talk to someone about my worries.