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B1 noun #3,000 le plus courant 5 min de lecture

besorgt

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces besorgt en 30 secondes
Explication besorgt in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can use 'besorgt' as a simple adjective to describe how someone looks or feels. It is usually used with the verb 'sein' (to be). For example: 'Ich bin besorgt' (I am worried). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex prepositions. Just remember that it describes a feeling similar to 'not happy' because something might be wrong. You might see it in simple stories about a lost cat or a late friend. It's a good word to know to express basic emotions beyond just 'gut' or 'schlecht'.
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At the A2 level, you start to link 'besorgt' with reasons. You might use 'weil' (because) to explain why you are worried. 'Ich bin besorgt, weil mein Kind krank ist.' You also learn that 'besorgt' can describe a face or a look: 'Ein besorgter Blick'. You should begin to notice the difference between 'besorgt' and 'traurig' (sad). While 'traurig' is about the past or present loss, 'besorgt' is about the future and what might happen. You also learn the opposite: 'unbesorgt' (not worried).
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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'besorgt' with its correct prepositions: 'besorgt um' and 'besorgt über'. You understand that 'um' is for people and 'über' is for situations. You can use it in professional contexts, like a work email: 'Ich bin besorgt über die Verzögerung des Projekts.' You also recognize it as the past participle of 'besorgen' (to get/buy), but you can distinguish the two based on context. You start using it to show empathy in conversations: 'Das klingt ernst, ich bin wirklich besorgt um dich.'
At the B2 level, you use 'besorgt' to discuss abstract concepts like politics, the environment, or the economy. You use more sophisticated structures like 'sich besorgt zeigen' (to show oneself concerned) or 'Besorgnis erregend' (causing concern). You understand the nuance between 'besorgt' and 'beunruhigt' or 'alarmiert'. You can write essays about social issues using 'besorgt' to describe the public mood. Your adjective endings for 'besorgt' in various cases (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive) are mostly accurate.
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At the C1 level, you use 'besorgt' with stylistic precision. You might use it in nominalized forms like 'Die Besorgten' or use synonyms like 'gramgebeugt' or 'voller Bangen' to vary your language. You understand the historical and political connotations of phrases like 'besorgte Bürger'. You can use the word in complex sentences with modal particles to change the tone: 'Ich bin ja nur besorgt um dein Wohl.' You also master the use of 'besorgt' in literary or highly formal contexts where it might describe a 'besorgte Miene' (a worried countenance).
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At the C2 level, 'besorgt' is a tool for subtle expression. You can use it ironically or to describe complex psychological states. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to the concept of 'Sorge' (care/worry) in German philosophy (like Heidegger's 'Sorge'). You can effortlessly switch between 'besorgt' as an adjective and 'besorgen' as a verb in the same sentence without confusion. You use it in high-level debates to express nuanced positions on global crises, often pairing it with sophisticated adverbs like 'zutiefst', 'maßgeblich', or 'vordergründig'.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

besorgt en 30 secondes

  • Besorgt is a common German adjective meaning 'worried' or 'concerned', used to express anxiety about future events or the well-being of others.
  • It is frequently used with the prepositions 'um' (for people/objects of care) and 'über' (for situations or news) followed by the accusative case.
  • Grammatically, it can also be the past participle of 'besorgen' (to get), so context is vital to distinguish between 'worrying' and 'procuring'.
  • It is a key word for B1 learners to express empathy and discuss serious topics like health, exams, or social developments effectively.

The German word besorgt is a multifaceted term primarily used as an adjective or a past participle. At its core, it describes a state of mind characterized by apprehension, care, or anxiety regarding a specific situation, person, or future event. When you are besorgt, you are not merely thinking about something; you are emotionally invested in a potential negative outcome. It bridges the gap between simple 'thinking' and deep 'worrying'.

Emotional State
Refers to a feeling of unease or nervousness about what might happen.
Active Concern
Implies a level of responsibility or care for the well-being of others.
Grammatical Origin
Derived from the verb 'besorgen', though its meaning has drifted significantly from 'procuring' to 'worrying'.

"Meine Mutter sieht immer so besorgt aus, wenn ich spät nach Hause komme."

— Example of familial concern

In a broader context, besorgt can also function as the past participle of besorgen (to get/procure), but in modern B1-level German, its role as an adjective describing concern is paramount. It is often paired with the preposition um (about) followed by the accusative case, or über (about/at) followed by the accusative case to specify the cause of the worry.

"Die Ärzte sind wegen seines Zustands sehr besorgt."

"Er blickte besorgt aus dem Fenster, als der Sturm begann."

"Wir sind um die Zukunft unserer Kinder besorgt."

"Sie machte ein besorgtes Gesicht."

Intensity
Can range from mild concern to deep, paralyzing anxiety.
Social Nuance
Often used to show empathy or professional concern in medical/social contexts.

Using besorgt correctly requires understanding its relationship with prepositions and its position in the sentence. As an adjective, it can be used predicatively (after a verb like 'sein' or 'aussehen') or attributively (before a noun). When used attributively, it must follow standard German adjective ending rules.

Prepositional Usage

The most common construction is besorgt um + [Akkusativ]. This is used when you are worried about the safety, health, or future of someone or something dear to you. For example: Ich bin besorgt um dich (I am worried about you).

Besorgt um
Focuses on the well-being of the object. (e.g., um die Umwelt, um die Gesundheit).
Besorgt über
Focuses on a specific event or development. (e.g., über die politische Lage).
Wegen + Genitiv
Indicates the cause of the worry. (e.g., wegen des Wetters besorgt sein).

In formal writing, you might see besorgt used to describe a public mood or a reaction to news. It is a staple of journalistic German, especially when reporting on economic trends or social issues. In these cases, it often appears as besorgte Bürger (concerned citizens).

You will encounter besorgt in a variety of everyday and professional settings. Its versatility makes it one of the most useful adjectives for expressing emotion in German. Here are the primary environments where the word thrives:

  • Family and Friendships: Used to express care. "Ich war besorgt, weil du nicht angerufen hast."
  • Medical Contexts: Doctors use it to describe a patient's state or their own assessment. "Der Arzt sah besorgt auf die Testergebnisse."
  • News and Media: Reporters use it to describe the public's reaction to crises. "Die Regierung zeigt sich besorgt über die steigende Inflation."
  • Workplace: Discussing project delays or market changes. "Der Chef ist besorgt um den Zeitplan."

"In den Nachrichten hieß es, die Experten seien besorgt über den Klimawandel."

Interestingly, the term besorgte Bürger has gained a specific political connotation in Germany over the last decade, often referring to people protesting against government policies. While the word itself is neutral, this specific phrase can carry a heavy political weight depending on the context.

Learners often stumble when using besorgt due to its dual nature as an adjective and a verb form. Here are the most frequent pitfalls to avoid:

Confusing with 'besorgen'
Saying "Ich habe besorgt" when you mean "I am worried". Correct: "Ich bin besorgt". "Ich habe besorgt" means "I have procured/obtained".
Wrong Preposition
Using 'für' instead of 'um'. While 'für' means 'for', in the context of worry, German strictly uses 'um' or 'über'.
Word Order with 'sein'
In subordinate clauses, the 'besorgt' must come before the 'ist/sind'. "...weil ich besorgt bin" (Correct) vs "...weil ich bin besorgt" (Incorrect).

Another mistake is overusing besorgt when ängstlich (scared) or nervös (nervous) would be more appropriate. Besorgt implies a thoughtful, caring type of worry, whereas ängstlich is more about fear.

German has a rich vocabulary for expressing concern. Understanding the nuances between besorgt and its synonyms will elevate your B1 German to a higher level.

Beunruhigt
Literally 'un-quieted'. It suggests a loss of inner peace. It's often used for a temporary state of being unsettled by news.
Bekümmert
A more old-fashioned or poetic word, often involving sadness or grief alongside the worry.
Ängstlich
Focuses more on the feeling of fear (Angst). If you are besorgt, you might be calm but serious; if you are ängstlich, you are likely shaking or feeling dread.
Nachdenklich
Often confused because a worried person looks thoughtful. However, nachdenklich is neutral—just 'pensive' or 'thoughtful'.

"Er ist nicht nur besorgt, er ist zutiefst beunruhigt über die Entwicklung."

On the opposite end, we have unbesorgt (carefree/unworried) and gelassen (composed/calm). Knowing these helps you describe the full spectrum of human reaction to stress.

How Formal Is It?

Guide de prononciation

Rime avec
erwürgt, besorgt

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective endings

Prepositional objects

Subordinate clauses with 'dass' and 'weil'

Past participle formation

Genitive case with 'wegen'

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Exemples par niveau

1

Ich bin besorgt.

I am worried.

Simple subject + verb + adjective.

2

Bist du besorgt?

Are you worried?

Question form.

3

Mutter ist besorgt.

Mother is worried.

Noun as subject.

4

Er sieht besorgt aus.

He looks worried.

Using 'aussehen' (to look like).

5

Wir sind nicht besorgt.

We are not worried.

Negation with 'nicht'.

6

Das ist ein besorgter Hund.

That is a worried dog.

Attributive adjective (ending -er).

7

Warum bist du besorgt?

Why are you worried?

Question with 'warum'.

8

Sie ist sehr besorgt.

She is very worried.

Using the intensifier 'sehr'.

1

Ich bin besorgt, weil es regnet.

I am worried because it's raining.

Subordinate clause with 'weil'.

2

Meine Eltern sind besorgt um mich.

My parents are worried about me.

Preposition 'um' + Accusative.

3

Der Lehrer schaut besorgt.

The teacher looks worried.

Adverbial usage.

4

Bist du besorgt wegen der Prüfung?

Are you worried because of the exam?

Preposition 'wegen' + Genitive (or Dative in spoken German).

5

Sie hat ein besorgtes Gesicht.

She has a worried face.

Adjective ending -es (neuter).

6

Wir waren gestern sehr besorgt.

We were very worried yesterday.

Past tense 'waren'.

7

Keine Sorge, sei unbesorgt!

No worries, don't be worried!

Imperative + antonym 'unbesorgt'.

8

Er ist besorgt um seinen kleinen Bruder.

He is worried about his little brother.

Possessive pronoun + preposition.

1

Ich bin besorgt über die aktuelle Situation.

I am worried about the current situation.

Preposition 'über' for situations.

2

Die Firma ist besorgt um ihren Ruf.

The company is worried about its reputation.

Abstract noun with 'um'.

3

Er rief mich mit besorgter Stimme an.

He called me with a worried voice.

Dative adjective ending -er.

4

Viele Menschen sind besorgt um die Umwelt.

Many people are worried about the environment.

Plural subject.

5

Ich bin besorgt, dass wir den Zug verpassen.

I am worried that we will miss the train.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

6

Sie wirkte während des Gesprächs besorgt.

She seemed worried during the conversation.

Verb 'wirken' (to seem).

7

Wir sind besorgt über die steigenden Preise.

We are worried about the rising prices.

Present participle as adjective (steigend).

8

Sein besorgter Blick verriet alles.

His worried look gave everything away.

Subject as a noun phrase.

1

Die Regierung zeigt sich besorgt über die Entwicklung.

The government shows itself concerned about the development.

Reflexive construction 'sich besorgt zeigen'.

2

Trotz der Warnungen blieb er unbesorgt.

Despite the warnings, he remained unworried.

Preposition 'trotz' + Genitive.

3

Es ist besorgniserregend, wie schnell das Eis schmilzt.

It is concerning how fast the ice is melting.

Compound adjective 'besorgniserregend'.

4

Ich bin zutiefst besorgt um das Wohl der Kinder.

I am deeply concerned for the well-being of the children.

Adverb 'zutiefst' for emphasis.

5

Die besorgten Anwohner protestierten gegen den Lärm.

The concerned residents protested against the noise.

Attributive plural adjective.

6

Er äußerte sich besorgt über die Menschenrechtslage.

He expressed concern about the human rights situation.

Verb 'sich äußern' (to express oneself).

7

In einem besorgten Tonfall erklärte sie die Gefahr.

In a worried tone, she explained the danger.

Prepositional phrase with adjective.

8

Wir sind um die Sicherheit der Daten besorgt.

We are concerned about the security of the data.

Focus on data security.

1

Die wirtschaftliche Instabilität lässt viele Bürger besorgt zurück.

The economic instability leaves many citizens worried.

Resultative construction with 'zurücklassen'.

2

Angesichts der Krise sind die Investoren höchst besorgt.

In view of the crisis, investors are highly concerned.

Preposition 'angesichts' + Genitive.

3

Ihre besorgte Miene war kaum zu übersehen.

Her worried expression was hard to miss.

Passive-like construction 'kaum zu übersehen'.

4

Er ist um nichts weniger als seine Existenz besorgt.

He is concerned about nothing less than his existence.

Idiomatic 'um nichts weniger als'.

5

Die besorgten Mütter organisierten eine Mahnwache.

The concerned mothers organized a vigil.

Specific social context.

6

Man kann nicht umhin, besorgt über diese Tendenzen zu sein.

One cannot help but be worried about these tendencies.

Phrase 'nicht umhin können'.

7

Sie blickte besorgt auf die schwindenden Ressourcen.

She looked worriedly at the dwindling resources.

Participle 'schwindend' as adjective.

8

Ein besorgter Unterton schwang in seiner Rede mit.

A worried undertone resonated in his speech.

Metaphorical use of 'mitswingen'.

1

Die ontologische Besorgnis, die er empfand, war kaum in Worte zu fassen.

The ontological concern he felt was hard to put into words.

Noun 'Besorgnis' used in a philosophical context.

2

Zutiefst besorgt ob der mangelnden Weitsicht der Akteure, trat er zurück.

Deeply concerned about the lack of foresight of the actors, he resigned.

Preposition 'ob' + Genitive (archaic/formal).

3

Das besorgte Raunen im Saal schwoll zu einem Protest an.

The worried murmur in the hall swelled into a protest.

Nominalized adjective used metaphorically.

4

In einer Welt voller Umbrüche ist das besorgte Individuum die Norm.

In a world full of upheavals, the worried individual is the norm.

Generalizing statement.

5

Sie ist peinlich genau darauf bedacht, nicht besorgt zu wirken.

She is painstakingly careful not to appear worried.

Adverbial phrase 'peinlich genau'.

6

Die besorgte Anteilnahme der Weltöffentlichkeit war ihm gewiss.

The concerned sympathy of the global public was certain for him.

Complex noun phrase.

7

Er war um das Seelenheil seiner Mitmenschen besorgt.

He was concerned about the spiritual well-being of his fellow men.

Specific religious/philosophical term 'Seelenheil'.

8

Trotz seines besorgten Gebarens blieb der Kern seiner Botschaft optimistisch.

Despite his worried demeanor, the core of his message remained optimistic.

Noun 'Gebaren' (demeanor).

Collocations courantes

besorgt sein
besorgt aussehen
besorgt um jemanden
besorgt über etwas
zutiefst besorgt
ein besorgter Blick
eine besorgte Miene
besorgte Eltern
sich besorgt zeigen
besorgt klingen

Phrases Courantes

Ich bin besorgt um dich.
Mach dir keine Sorgen, sei unbesorgt.
Er machte ein besorgtes Gesicht.
Die Lage ist besorgniserregend.
Ich bin sehr besorgt über die Nachrichten.
Warum schaust du so besorgt?
Wir sind um die Sicherheit besorgt.
Ein besorgter Anruf.
Besorgte Bürger.
Sie ist um ihre Zukunft besorgt.

Souvent confondu avec

besorgt vs besorgen (to get)

besorgt vs ängstlich (fearful)

besorgt vs nervös (nervous)

Expressions idiomatiques

"Sich graue Haare wachsen lassen (to worry too much)"
"Sich den Kopf zerbrechen (to worry/think hard)"
"Auf heißen Kohlen sitzen (to be anxious/worried)"
"Ein Stein vom Herzen fallen (relief after being worried)"
"Sich Sorgen machen (to worry - the verbal equivalent)"
"In großer Sorge sein"
"Um jemanden bangen"
"Blut und Wasser schwitzen"
"Den Teufel an die Wand malen"
"Trübsal blasen"

Facile à confondre

besorgt vs besorgen

Verb meaning to get/procure.

besorgt vs Sorge

The noun meaning 'worry'.

besorgt vs sorgfältig

Adjective meaning 'careful/thorough'.

besorgt vs unbesorgt

The opposite: 'unworried'.

besorgt vs Besorgnis

A more formal noun for 'concern'.

Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

nuance

Besorgt is more about 'caring' than 'fearing'.

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written German.

Erreurs courantes
  • Ich bin besorgt für dich.
  • Ich habe besorgt wegen dem Wetter.
  • Ein besorgt Mann.
  • Ich bin besorgt über meine Mutter.
  • Er ist besorgen.

Astuces

Preposition Match

Always pair 'besorgt' with 'um' for loved ones. It shows you care about their safety.

Past Participle Trap

Remember: 'Ich habe das Essen besorgt' (I got the food) vs 'Ich bin besorgt' (I am worried).

Tone Matters

When saying 'besorgt', lower your pitch slightly to convey the seriousness of the emotion.

Adjective Endings

In 'ein besorgter Vater', the '-er' is needed because 'Vater' is masculine nominative.

Political Nuance

Be careful with 'besorgte Bürger' in political discussions as it can be a loaded term.

Beunruhigt vs Besorgt

Use 'beunruhigt' if the worry is more about being restless or unsettled.

The 'Sorge' Connection

Link 'besorgt' to 'Sorge'. If you have 'Sorgen' (worries), you are 'besorgt'.

Identify the Verb

If you hear 'hat... besorgt', it's the verb 'to get'. If you hear 'ist... besorgt', it's the adjective.

Showing Empathy

Saying 'Ich bin besorgt um dich' is a very strong way to show you care in German.

Formal Reports

In reports, use 'besorgt über die Entwicklung' to sound professional and objective.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

From Middle High German 'besorgen', meaning to take care of or provide for.

Contexte culturel

News anchors often use 'besorgt' to describe international reactions.

It is polite to express concern if a friend is ill.

The concept of 'German Angst' is sometimes linked to a general tendency to be 'besorgt' about the future.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"Bist du besorgt um deine nächste Prüfung?"

"Was macht dich heutzutage am meisten besorgt?"

"Warst du schon mal besorgt um ein Haustier?"

"Siehst du besorgt aus, wenn du Stress hast?"

"Sind die Menschen in deinem Land besorgt über den Klimawandel?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über eine Zeit, in der du sehr besorgt warst.

Was bedeutet es für dich, 'unbesorgt' zu leben?

Bist du eher ein besorgter Mensch oder ein optimistischer Mensch?

Warum sind Eltern oft so besorgt um ihre Kinder?

Wie gehst du damit um, wenn du über die Nachrichten besorgt bist?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It can be both. As an adjective, it means 'worried'. As a verb form (past participle), it comes from 'besorgen' (to get).

'Besorgt um' is usually for people or things you care for. 'Besorgt über' is for news or situations.

Only if you mean 'I have procured/bought something'. If you mean 'I am worried', say 'Ich bin besorgt'.

It is neutral. It can be used with friends or in a formal newspaper article.

The most direct opposite is 'unbesorgt' or 'sorglos'.

You say 'Ich bin besorgt wegen...' followed by the Genitive (formal) or Dative (informal) case.

Not necessarily. It can also mean 'concerned' in a proactive, caring way.

Yes, they share a common linguistic root related to 'care' and 'grief'.

Yes, like 'Ich bin besorgt um meine Blumen'.

It is a typical German uvular 'r', often sounding like a slight friction in the throat.

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