걱정 마세요
geokjeong maseyo
Don't worry
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite, essential phrase used to comfort others or dismiss small mistakes with kindness.
- Means: 'Please don't worry' or 'It's no problem' in a polite tone.
- Used in: Comforting a stressed friend or responding to an apology.
- Don't confuse: Avoid using the informal '걱정 마' with teachers or bosses.
Explanation at your level:
意思
Advice to someone not to feel anxious or troubled.
文化背景
In Korea, worrying about someone is a sign of 'Jeong' (deep connection). If someone says they are worrying about you, it's a compliment to your relationship. Using '걱정 마십시오' to a client is a way of taking full responsibility and showing that you are a reliable partner. When you receive a gift, it's common to say 'Why did you buy this? Don't worry about me!' as a way of showing humility. In texting, '걱정 마세요' is often shortened to '걱정 ㄴㄴ' (No No) among younger generations.
Add '괜찮아요'
Pairing '괜찮아요, 걱정 마세요' (It's okay, don't worry) makes you sound 200% more natural and kind.
Watch the 'ㄹ'
Remember that the verb is '말다', but the 'ㄹ' disappears in '마세요'. Don't say '말세요'!
意思
Advice to someone not to feel anxious or troubled.
Add '괜찮아요'
Pairing '괜찮아요, 걱정 마세요' (It's okay, don't worry) makes you sound 200% more natural and kind.
Watch the 'ㄹ'
Remember that the verb is '말다', but the 'ㄹ' disappears in '마세요'. Don't say '말세요'!
The Power of Silence
Sometimes, saying '걱정 마세요' too many times can feel like you're not listening. Use it once, then listen.
Use with '다'
Adding '다' (all) like '다 걱정 마세요' implies you will take care of everything.
自我测试
Fill in the blank to complete the polite reassurance.
A: 늦어서 정말 죄송합니다. B: 아니에요, (____) 마세요.
The context is an apology for being late, so '걱정 마세요' (Don't worry) is the natural response.
Which form is most appropriate when speaking to your boss?
Boss: 이 프로젝트 금요일까지 할 수 있어요? You: 네, (____).
While '마세요' is polite, '마십시오' is the most professional and respectful form for a workplace hierarchy.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
Friend: 나 지갑을 잃어버린 것 같아... You: (____) 내가 같이 찾아줄게.
Since you are speaking to a friend and offering to help, the informal '걱정 마' is the most natural and warm choice.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A doctor telling a patient the surgery went well.
The doctor uses the polite '마세요' to reassure the patient after a procedure.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Formality Levels
常见问题
14 个问题Yes, '걱정 마세요' is polite enough for a teacher, though '걱정하지 마십시오' is even better if you want to be very formal.
They mean the same thing. '걱정 마세요' is just a shortened, more common version used in speech.
Yes, but it's often better to say '울지 마세요' (Don't cry) or '괜찮아요' first.
You can say '걱정 마' or '걱정하지 마'.
It is often associated with {却正}, meaning to step back and correct one's mind, though it's widely used as a pure Korean word today.
No, you should apologize first. If you say 'Don't worry' about your own mistake, it sounds like you don't care.
'걱정하지 마십시오' is the highest level of formality.
Young people often use '걱정 ㄴㄴ' (No No) in texts.
Yes, it is a very common way to say 'No problem' after an apology.
Only if said with a cold tone. With a warm tone, it is very supportive.
Say '제 걱정은 마세요' (As for my worry, don't do it).
It's not wrong, but it's less standard than '마세요'. It sounds a bit more poetic or dialect-influenced.
Yes, but for very serious things, '제가 옆에 있을게요' (I'll be by your side) is more powerful.
It's a 'tense' sound, like the 'j' in 'jump' but with more pressure.
相关表达
괜찮아요
similarIt's okay
신경 쓰지 마세요
similarDon't mind it
안심하세요
similarRelax / Feel relieved
힘내세요
builds onCheer up / Have strength
다 잘 될 거예요
builds onEverything will be fine
在哪里用
Late for a meeting
Employee: 죄송합니다, 차가 막혀서 조금 늦었습니다.
Manager: 괜찮아요. 걱정 마세요. 이제 막 시작했어요.
Spilling a drink
Friend: 어머, 미안해! 옷에 커피를 쏟았어.
You: 아니야, 걱정 마. 세탁하면 돼.
Exam stress
Student: 내일 시험 너무 떨려. 잘 못 보면 어떡하지?
Best Friend: 너 공부 많이 했잖아. 걱정 마! 잘 할 거야.
At the Doctor's
Patient: 수술이 많이 아플까요?
Doctor: 마취를 하니까 아프지 않을 겁니다. 걱정 마세요.
Ordering Food
Customer: 혹시 견과류가 들어있나요? 제가 알레르기가 있어서요.
Server: 아, 이 음식에는 안 들어갑니다. 걱정 마세요.
Lost Child in Mall
Child: (Crying) 엄마가 안 보여요...
Staff: 걱정 마세요. 아저씨가 엄마 금방 찾아줄게.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Gyeokjeong sounds like 'Get Gone'. Tell the worry to 'Get Gone' with 'Maseyo' (Please).
Visual Association
Imagine a giant eraser wiping away a dark cloud over someone's head. The eraser has '걱정 마세요' written on it.
Rhyme
걱정 마세요, 웃어 보세요! (Gyeokjeong maseyo, useo boseyo! - Don't worry, try to smile!)
Story
A little bird named Gyeok-jeong was crying because it lost its nest. A kind tree said, 'Gyeok-jeong, Ma-seyo!' (Gyeok-jeong, stop!). The bird stopped crying and realized the nest was just on the next branch.
Word Web
挑战
Next time you see a Korean speaker apologize for something small, respond immediately with '아니에요, 걱정 마세요!'
In Other Languages
No te preocupes
Spanish changes based on 'tú' vs 'usted', similar to Korean formality levels.
Ne vous inquiétez pas
French requires the 'ne...pas' negation structure.
Machen Sie sich keine Sorgen
German uses a double negative structure ('no worries') which Korean doesn't.
心配しないでください
Japanese is slightly longer and often requires the 'shinaide' connector.
لا تقلق (La taqlaq)
Arabic conjugates for gender (taqlaq vs taqlaqi), which Korean does not.
别担心 (Bié dānxīn)
Chinese is more grammatically simple, lacking the honorific endings of Korean.
Não se preocupe
The placement of 'se' can change depending on European vs Brazilian Portuguese.
Don't worry
English lacks the built-in honorific system, requiring 'please' or tone of voice to show respect.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'Don't worry' in English.
Use '걱정 마세요' for emotional anxiety. Use '신경 쓰지 마세요' for minor inconveniences or things that don't deserve attention.
Both involve 'not doing' something related to a situation.
'상관하지 마세요' means 'Mind your own business' and can be very rude. Never use it to comfort someone!
常见问题 (14)
Yes, '걱정 마세요' is polite enough for a teacher, though '걱정하지 마십시오' is even better if you want to be very formal.
They mean the same thing. '걱정 마세요' is just a shortened, more common version used in speech.
Yes, but it's often better to say '울지 마세요' (Don't cry) or '괜찮아요' first.
You can say '걱정 마' or '걱정하지 마'.
It is often associated with {却正}, meaning to step back and correct one's mind, though it's widely used as a pure Korean word today.
No, you should apologize first. If you say 'Don't worry' about your own mistake, it sounds like you don't care.
'걱정하지 마십시오' is the highest level of formality.
Young people often use '걱정 ㄴㄴ' (No No) in texts.
Yes, it is a very common way to say 'No problem' after an apology.
Only if said with a cold tone. With a warm tone, it is very supportive.
Say '제 걱정은 마세요' (As for my worry, don't do it).
It's not wrong, but it's less standard than '마세요'. It sounds a bit more poetic or dialect-influenced.
Yes, but for very serious things, '제가 옆에 있을게요' (I'll be by your side) is more powerful.
It's a 'tense' sound, like the 'j' in 'jump' but with more pressure.
