A2 verb Informal #5,000 most common 1 min read

发愁

fāchóu /fɑː t͡ʃʰoʊ/

发愁 describes a state of being worried and fretful, often about future uncertainties or problems.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • To feel worried or anxious about something.
  • Expresses inner turmoil and unease.
  • Commonly used in daily life contexts.

Overview

发愁 (fā chóu) 是一个常用的汉语动词,表示因为某些原因而感到忧虑、烦恼、操心。它描述了一种内心的不安和担忧,通常与即将发生或已经发生的不愉快的事情有关。这个词语的语境比较口语化,常用于表达个人或他人对某事感到心事重重。

发愁通常用作不及物动词,后面可以直接跟名词或代词表示担忧的对象,也可以不跟宾语,单独使用。它也可以接“着”字,表示一种持续的担忧状态。例如:他最近因为工作不顺利而发愁。/ 别发愁了,一切都会好起来的。

发愁这个词经常出现在日常生活的对话和书面语中,尤其是在讨论个人问题、家庭事务、经济状况、学业或工作压力等话题时。例如:

Examples

1

最近生意不好做,老板天天愁眉苦脸地发愁。

everyday

Business has been bad lately, and the boss looks worried and fretful every day.

2

对于未来的不确定性,他心中不免有些发愁。

formal

He couldn't help but feel some anxiety about the uncertainties of the future.

3

这点小事也值得你发愁?别想太多了!

informal

Is this little thing worth you worrying about? Don't overthink it!

4

研究经费的短缺使得项目负责人不得不为后续研究的发愁。

academic

The shortage of research funding forced the project leader to worry about subsequent research.

Common Collocations

为...发愁 To worry about...
愁眉苦脸 To have a worried or dejected expression (often implies 发愁)
心事重重 To be burdened with worries (similar to 发愁)

Common Phrases

别发愁了

Don't worry anymore

为钱发愁

To worry about money

愁眉苦脸

To have a worried face

Often Confused With

发愁 vs 担心

'发愁' emphasizes a deeper, more persistent state of worry and fretfulness, often with a sense of helplessness. '担心' is broader and can refer to lighter concerns or more active apprehension.

发愁 vs 忧虑

'忧虑' is a more formal and literary term, often implying a more profound or serious concern about the future. '发愁' is more colloquial and can apply to everyday troubles.

Grammar Patterns

发愁 ( + 宾语) 为 + 某事 + 发愁 (感到)发愁

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The word '发愁' is generally used in informal and neutral contexts. It describes an internal emotional state rather than an action. It's often used to express personal feelings or to describe someone else's emotional state in a relatable way.


Common Mistakes

Learners might confuse '发愁' with words like '担心' or '操心' without fully grasping the nuance. '发愁' carries a stronger sense of inner unhappiness and burden compared to the more general '担心'. Also, avoid using it in very formal academic writing where '忧虑' might be more appropriate.

Tips

💡

Expressing Inner Worry

Use '发愁' when you want to convey a sense of deep inner worry or fretfulness about a specific issue.

⚠️

Avoid Overuse in Formal Settings

While common, '发愁' can sound a bit too informal or personal in highly formal written contexts. Consider '担忧' or '忧虑' instead.

🌍

Reflecting Cultural Concerns

The concept of '发愁' reflects a common human experience of worrying about livelihood, family, and future, which is culturally significant in many societies.

Word Origin

The word '发愁' originates from the combination of '发' (fā), meaning to emit or produce, and '愁' (chóu), meaning sorrow or worry. Together, they literally mean 'to produce worry' or 'to be filled with worry'.

Cultural Context

The expression captures a common human emotion of worry, particularly relevant in cultures that emphasize hard work, family responsibility, and future planning. It reflects the societal pressures and personal anxieties people face.

Memory Tip

Imagine someone with a furrowed brow ('愁') who is actively '发'ing (producing) worries. This visual helps connect the characters to the meaning of being worried.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

发愁更侧重于内心的愁苦和烦恼,常常伴随着一种沉重感。担心则范围更广,可以是轻微的不安,也可以是严重的忧虑,不一定有发愁那么深的愁苦感。

发愁可以用在各种生活场景,比如为经济问题、学业、工作、家庭、健康等感到忧虑和烦恼时都可以使用。

发愁通常被视为一种消极的情绪,因为它代表着内心的不安和对困难的担忧,而不是积极的应对态度。

有的,比如‘忧心忡忡’ (yōuxīn chōngchōng) 或 ‘愁眉苦脸’ (chóuméi kǔliǎn) 都是形容非常担忧和愁苦的状态,程度比发愁更深。

Test Yourself

fill blank

他最近因为找不到工作而天天__________。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 发愁

根据语境,找不到工作会让人感到忧虑和烦恼,所以‘发愁’是最合适的词。

multiple choice

下列哪个词语最能表达“发愁”的含义?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 焦虑

‘焦虑’和‘发愁’都表示内心的不安和担忧,虽然‘发愁’更侧重于愁苦感,但‘焦虑’是意思最接近的选项。

sentence building

请用“发愁”组建一个完整的句子。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 他为考试成绩发愁。

这个句子清晰地表达了因为考试成绩不理想而产生的忧虑,符合“发愁”的用法。

Score: /3

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