Signification
To feel anxious about something.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch 'nuchterheid' means that while people do worry, they often try to hide it behind a mask of pragmatism. If someone admits they are 'zorgen maken', it's a sign of trust. In Flanders, you might hear 'zich ongerust maken' slightly more often in formal speech, but 'zorgen maken' is equally understood and used. In Surinamese Dutch, the phrase is used similarly, but the tone might be more expressive and accompanied by specific cultural idioms about 'headaches' or 'heavy hearts'. In meetings, 'zorgen maken' is often replaced by 'kritische kanttekeningen' (critical remarks) or 'risico's zien' to sound more professional.
The 'Er' Trick
If someone asks 'Maak je je zorgen?', you can just say 'Ik maak me er geen zorgen over' to sound very native.
Reflexive Match
Always double-check your reflexive pronoun. 'Ik maak zich zorgen' is a very common beginner mistake.
Signification
To feel anxious about something.
The 'Er' Trick
If someone asks 'Maak je je zorgen?', you can just say 'Ik maak me er geen zorgen over' to sound very native.
Reflexive Match
Always double-check your reflexive pronoun. 'Ik maak zich zorgen' is a very common beginner mistake.
Intensity
Add 'grote' before 'zorgen' to show you are really worried: 'Ik maak me grote zorgen over...'
Comforting
When you say 'Maak je geen zorgen', follow it up with 'Het komt wel goed' for maximum Dutch comfort.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun and preposition.
Ik maak ___ zorgen ___ mijn cijfers.
For 'ik', the reflexive pronoun is 'me', and the standard preposition is 'over'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct Dutch sentence:
Sentence B correctly uses the reflexive 'zich' and the full phrase 'zich zorgen maken over'.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
A: Waarom kijk je zo sip? B: Ik _______ mijn vader, hij is ziek.
'Maak me zorgen over' is the most natural way to express concern for a sick relative.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'Maak je geen zorgen' to the best context:
You use 'Maak je geen zorgen' to comfort someone who is anxious or upset.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIk maak ___ zorgen ___ mijn cijfers.
For 'ik', the reflexive pronoun is 'me', and the standard preposition is 'over'.
Choose the correct Dutch sentence:
Sentence B correctly uses the reflexive 'zich' and the full phrase 'zich zorgen maken over'.
A: Waarom kijk je zo sip? B: Ik _______ mijn vader, hij is ziek.
'Maak me zorgen over' is the most natural way to express concern for a sick relative.
Match 'Maak je geen zorgen' to the best context:
You use 'Maak je geen zorgen' to comfort someone who is anxious or upset.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, 'zich zorgen maken om' is also used and understood, but 'over' is more standard in written Dutch and exams.
Almost. 'Ongerust' is an adjective meaning 'anxious'. 'Ik ben ongerust over...' is a perfectly fine alternative.
Because usually, when we worry, we have multiple 'worries' or thoughts in our head.
Ik maak me zorgen over jou.
Yes! You can follow the phrase with a 'dat'-clause to explain a specific fear.
'Stressen' is informal and usually about having too much to do. 'Zorgen maken' is about emotional anxiety.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Maak je geen zorgen over mij.
No, it is almost always for negative or uncertain things.
It means 'to cause worry'. For example: 'De uitslag baart mij zorgen' (The result causes me worry).
Yes, the phrase is incomplete without the reflexive pronoun.
It's similar but more like 'Don't get stressed' or 'Don't overreact'.
Expressions liées
zich ongerust maken
synonymTo be anxious/uneasy
zorgen voor
contrastTo take care of
zich druk maken om
similarTo get worked up about
piekeren
builds onTo brood or overthink
zorgen baren
specialized formTo cause concern
