令人担忧的是...
lingren danyou de shi...
Worrying is...
Literally: Make people feel worried (is) that...
In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to introduce a specific concern or problem.
- Translates to 'What is worrying is...' or 'The concern is...'.
- Best for news, business, or serious personal discussions.
Meaning
This is a smooth way to introduce a problem or a concern. It basically means 'The thing that's worrying is...' or 'What's concerning is...'.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting about a project
虽然我们的销量增加了，但令人担忧的是，客户满意度下降了。
Although our sales increased, what's worrying is that customer satisfaction has dropped.
Discussing environmental issues with a friend
这里的空气越来越差，令人担忧的是，孩子们经常咳嗽。
The air here is getting worse; what's worrying is that the children are coughing often.
Talking about a friend's health habits
你每天只睡四个小时，令人担忧的是，你的身体会吃不消的。
You only sleep four hours a day; what's worrying is that your body won't be able to take it.
Cultural Background
This phrase reflects the Chinese rhetorical preference for 'impersonal' subjects. By using 'Ling ren' (makes people), the speaker avoids sounding overly emotional or biased. It suggests that the concern is a shared, logical conclusion rather than a private anxiety.
The 'But' Connection
This phrase almost always follows a 'But' (但是/但). It’s the perfect way to pivot from a positive or neutral statement to a serious problem.
Don't over-personalize
Avoid saying '我令人担忧的是'. The phrase already implies a general feeling of worry. Adding 'I' makes it grammatically clunky.
In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to introduce a specific concern or problem.
- Translates to 'What is worrying is...' or 'The concern is...'.
- Best for news, business, or serious personal discussions.
What It Means
Think of 令人担忧的是 as your go-to 'red flag' phrase. It sets the stage for a serious point. It literally translates to 'what makes people worry is.' It’s like saying 'Here is the catch' or 'Here is the scary part.' Use it to pivot from general facts to a specific concern.
How To Use It
Put this phrase right at the start of your sentence. It acts as a bridge. Usually, you describe a situation first. Then you drop this phrase to highlight the problem. For example: 'The weather is getting hotter. 令人担忧的是, the ice is melting.' It sounds very polished and logical. You don't need a subject before it. The phrase itself acts as the subject of the sentence.
When To Use It
You’ll hear this in news reports or business meetings. It’s perfect for discussing trends or social issues. Use it when you want to sound thoughtful. It works great in emails when pointing out a project risk. It’s also useful in serious heart-to-hearts with friends. If you're talking about a friend's bad habit, this softens the blow. It makes the worry sound objective, not just your personal opinion.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for tiny, trivial things. If you lost your socks, it’s too dramatic. Don't use it in high-energy, happy celebrations. It’s a mood-killer! Avoid it in very slangy, casual street talk. Your friends might think you're giving a press conference. Also, don't use it if you are the cause of the worry. That just sounds awkward and self-important.
Cultural Background
Chinese communication often favors an indirect approach. Instead of saying 'I am worried,' people use 'It makes one worry.' This shifts the focus from 'me' to the 'situation.' It feels more objective and less like a personal complaint. It reflects a cultural value of looking at the big picture. It’s a way to show you are socially responsible and observant.
Common Variations
You might hear 令人担心的是. This is slightly more common in spoken daily life. 令人忧虑的是 is the 'fancy' version for literature. If you want to be shorter, try 忧虑的是. But 令人担忧的是 is the perfect middle ground. It’s the Goldilocks of 'worry' phrases—just right for most situations.
Usage Notes
This phrase is most common in written Chinese or formal speech. It provides a logical transition and helps the speaker sound more objective.
The 'But' Connection
This phrase almost always follows a 'But' (但是/但). It’s the perfect way to pivot from a positive or neutral statement to a serious problem.
Don't over-personalize
Avoid saying '我令人担忧的是'. The phrase already implies a general feeling of worry. Adding 'I' makes it grammatically clunky.
The Power of 'Ling'
The word `令` (lìng) is a 'causative' verb. In Chinese culture, using causative verbs makes your statement sound more objective and authoritative.
Examples
6虽然我们的销量增加了，但令人担忧的是，客户满意度下降了。
Although our sales increased, what's worrying is that customer satisfaction has dropped.
Perfect for balancing good news with a necessary warning.
这里的空气越来越差，令人担忧的是，孩子们经常咳嗽。
The air here is getting worse; what's worrying is that the children are coughing often.
Shows empathy and concern for a vulnerable group.
你每天只睡四个小时，令人担忧的是，你的身体会吃不消的。
You only sleep four hours a day; what's worrying is that your body won't be able to take it.
A polite way to express concern without sounding like you're nagging.
令人担忧的是，年轻人的失业率正在上升。
What is worrying is that the unemployment rate among young people is rising.
Classic news-style opening for a segment.
我的猫越来越胖了，令人担忧的是，它现在连沙发都跳不上去了。
My cat is getting fatter; what's worrying is that he can't even jump onto the sofa anymore.
Using a formal phrase for a silly situation creates a funny contrast.
令人担忧的是，王经理还没看我们的报告。
What's worrying is that Manager Wang hasn't read our report yet.
Used to highlight a bottleneck in a process.
Test Yourself
Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence about a broken phone.
我的手机坏了，___ 里面的照片没有备份。
Losing unbacked-up photos is a negative situation, so 'worrying' is the correct fit.
Complete the formal report sentence.
项目进展顺利，但 ___ 预算已经快用完了。
Running out of budget is a serious concern that requires this specific introductory phrase.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of Worry
Talking to family
我好担心 (I'm so worried)
General conversation
让人担心 (Makes people worry)
News/Meetings
令人担忧的是 (What is worrying is...)
Academic papers
颇为忧虑者乃 (That which is quite worrying is...)
Where to use 令人担忧的是
Climate Change Talk
Sea levels rising
Office Email
Missing a deadline
Parenting
Kid's bad grades
Health Chat
High blood pressure
Practice Bank
2 exercises我的手机坏了，___ 里面的照片没有备份。
Losing unbacked-up photos is a negative situation, so 'worrying' is the correct fit.
项目进展顺利，但 ___ 预算已经快用完了。
Running out of budget is a serious concern that requires this specific introductory phrase.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, almost exclusively. It is used to introduce a problem, a risk, or a negative trend like 令人担忧的是，物价上涨了 (What's worrying is that prices are rising).
You can, but it sounds a bit serious. It's like saying 'The concerning thing is...' instead of 'I'm worried about...'. Use it when discussing serious topics.
担心 is more common in daily speech. 担忧 is more formal and often used for bigger issues like the economy or health.
It usually starts the second clause of a sentence, right after a comma, to introduce the main problem.
Absolutely. It is a classic B2/C1 level structure that shows you can handle formal logic and transitions.
Yes, that is also correct and means 'The worrying thing is...'. It's just a bit more wordy than the standard version.
Usually, yes. The 是 (is) connects the phrase to the specific thing that is causing the worry.
You just swap the middle part! Use 令人惊讶的是... (Lìng rén jīngyà de shì...).
Only if the topic is serious. If you're texting about a project delay, it's fine. If you're texting about lunch, it's too much.
In very informal speech, people might just say 担心的是..., but the full version is much more natural for most learners.
Related Phrases
令人遗憾的是 (Regrettably...)
值得注意的是 (It is worth noting that...)
让人头疼的是 (What's a headache is...)
不幸的是 (Unfortunately...)
