Use '担心' to express worry or anxiety about something uncertain or negative.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Expresses worry or anxiety about future events.
- Commonly used in everyday conversations.
- Can be followed by what one is worried about.
Overview
担心（dānxīn）是一个非常常用且基础的中文动词，表示对某人或某事感到忧虑、不安或牵挂。它通常指向未来可能发生的负面事件，或者对当前情况的不确定性感到焦虑。这个词在日常交流中被广泛使用，是表达情感和担忧的重要词汇。
担心主要用作动词，后面可以跟名词、代词、短语或句子，表示担心的是什么。它也可以单独使用，表达一种普遍的担忧情绪。在一些语境下，它也可以用作形容词，但作为动词的用法更为普遍和基础。
**担心 + 名词/代词/短语/句子**: 这是最常见的用法，表示具体担心的事情。
- 我担心考试 (wǒ dānxīn kǎoshì) - I worry about the exam.
- 他担心你 (tā dānxīn nǐ) - He worries about you.
- 别担心这个 (bié dānxīn zhège) - Don't worry about this.
- 我担心她会迟到 (wǒ dānxīn tā huì chídào) - I worry she will be late.
**单独使用**: 表示一种总体的担忧情绪。
- 你别担心了 (nǐ bié dānxīn le) - You don't need to worry anymore.
**作为补语**: 在某些结构中，担心可以作为动词的补语。
- 他做事总让人担心 (tā zuòshì zǒng ràng rén dānxīn) - He always does things that make people worry.
担心这个词经常出现在以下场景：
- 学业与工作: 学生担心考试成绩，上班族担心项目进度或老板的批评。
- 家庭与人际关系: 父母担心孩子的安全和健康，朋友之间担心对方的近况，情侣之间担心感情出现问题。
- 健康与安全: 担心自己或家人的身体健康，担心某地的安全问题。
- 未来与不确定性: 对未来的发展感到担忧，对突发事件感到不安。
在这些场景中，使用“担心”可以准确地表达出内心的忧虑感。
**忧虑 (yōulǜ)**: “忧虑”比“担心”更书面化，程度也可能更深，带有更多成熟的思考和对长远问题的顾虑。
- 担心：更口语化，常指具体、眼前的事情。例如：我担心天气不好，会影响出门。 (dānxīn)
- 忧虑：更书面化，常指更深层、更长远的问题。例如：他对国家的未来感到忧虑。(yōulǜ)
**操心 (cāoxīn)**: “操心”强调的是为某事花费心思去处理、去照顾，带有主动付出的意味，常用于长辈对晚辈，或对自己负责的人事。
- 担心：是被动地感到不安。例如：我担心你一个人在家。(dānxīn)
- 操心：是主动地为某事费心。例如：孩子大了，父母不用再那么操心了。(cāoxīn)
**发愁 (fāchóu)**: “发愁”表示因为遇到困难或问题而犯愁、苦恼，通常是由于某种现实的困境造成的。
- 担心：是对未来不确定性的不安。例如：我担心明天会下雨。(dānxīn)
- 发愁：是对当前困难的苦恼。例如：找不到工作，他很发愁。(fāchóu)
Examples
我有点担心明天的天气，希望不要下雨。
everydayI'm a bit worried about tomorrow's weather; I hope it doesn't rain.
他做事总是毛手毛脚，真让人担心。
informalHe's always clumsy when he does things, which really makes people worry.
请您不必为我担心，我会照顾好自己的。
neutralPlease don't worry about me; I will take good care of myself.
专家们担心全球经济可能面临衰退的风险。
formalExperts worry that the global economy might face the risk of recession.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
不用担心
No need to worry
我担心你
I worry about you
担心的事情
Things to worry about
Often Confused With
'担心' is more common in spoken language and often refers to specific, immediate concerns. '忧虑' is more formal and literary, often implying deeper, long-term anxieties.
'担心' is about feeling anxious. '操心' involves actively expending effort and thought to manage or care for something or someone, often implying responsibility.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '担心' is highly versatile and used frequently in everyday Mandarin. It can express a mild unease or a significant anxiety depending on the context and tone. It is generally considered a neutral term in terms of formality, suitable for most situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners might sometimes confuse '担心' with words like '操心' (to worry about actively managing something) or '发愁' (to be troubled by a current difficulty). Ensure you understand the nuance: '担心' is primarily about feeling anxious about potential future issues.
Tips
Expressing Future Concerns
Use '担心' when you feel uneasy about potential negative outcomes in the future.
Avoid Overuse
While common, excessive use of '担心' might make conversations sound overly negative. Balance with positive expressions.
Parental Concern
In Chinese culture, parents often express '担心' for their children's well-being, reflecting deep care and responsibility.
Word Origin
The character '担' (dān) originally meant 'to carry a load on the shoulder'. '心' (xīn) means 'heart'. Together, '担心' literally suggests carrying a heavy burden in one's heart, which metaphorically represents the feeling of worry and anxiety.
Cultural Context
Expressing '担心' for others is often seen as a sign of care and affection, especially within family and close relationships. However, excessive or constant worrying can sometimes be perceived as a lack of trust or confidence.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone 'dashing' (dan) to 'sing' (xin) because they are worried about forgetting the lyrics. The urgency of dashing and singing highlights the anxious feeling.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“担心”主要是对未来可能发生的不好的事情感到不安，是一种心理上的忧虑。而“发愁”则更多是因为遇到了实际的困难或问题而感到苦恼和犯难。
“担心”后面可以加名词、代词、动词短语，甚至是一个完整的句子，来具体说明担心的是什么事情。
可以。例如，“我担心考试不及格”就是一个肯定句，表达了对考试结果的担忧。
“担心”表达的是一种负面情绪，语气通常是忧虑的、不安的，有时也可能带有关切的意味。
Test Yourself
我有点______，怕你一个人在家不安全。
句意是表达对“一个人在家不安全”的忧虑，所以“担心”最合适。
妈妈对小明说：“你这么晚了还没回家，妈妈很______。”
妈妈在孩子晚归的情况下，感受到的是不安和忧虑，所以用“担心”。
我 / 明天 / 考试 / 担心
“担心”后面直接跟担心的事情“明天的考试”，结构最自然。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '担心' to express worry or anxiety about something uncertain or negative.
- Expresses worry or anxiety about future events.
- Commonly used in everyday conversations.
- Can be followed by what one is worried about.
Expressing Future Concerns
Use '担心' when you feel uneasy about potential negative outcomes in the future.
Avoid Overuse
While common, excessive use of '担心' might make conversations sound overly negative. Balance with positive expressions.
Parental Concern
In Chinese culture, parents often express '担心' for their children's well-being, reflecting deep care and responsibility.
Examples
4 of 4我有点担心明天的天气，希望不要下雨。
I'm a bit worried about tomorrow's weather; I hope it doesn't rain.
他做事总是毛手毛脚，真让人担心。
He's always clumsy when he does things, which really makes people worry.
请您不必为我担心，我会照顾好自己的。
Please don't worry about me; I will take good care of myself.
专家们担心全球经济可能面临衰退的风险。
Experts worry that the global economy might face the risk of recession.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
一点
A1A little; a bit; slightly.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
