Translation guide
How to express that something is causing worry, preoccupation, or mental burden in Japanese.
To say that a problem, thought, or situation is causing anxiety or mental distress.
Literally 'become mind/attention'. This is the most common and versatile way to say something is on your mind, bothering you, or you can't stop thinking about it. It can range from mild curiosity to serious worry.
His words weigh on my mind.
I can't sleep because the exam results are weighing on my mind.
Means 'to be worried'. Use this when the mental weight is specifically anxiety or concern about something.
My mother's health weighs on my mind.
Similar to 心配 but slightly more formal/literary. It means something is a source of anxiety or unease.
His future weighs on my mind.
To worry excessively, to take something to heart and fret over it. Often used when someone is brooding over a mistake or problem.
You don't need to let such a small mistake weigh on your mind.
To express that a thought, memory, or idea keeps coming back and occupies your mind.
Literally 'won't leave my head'. This is a very natural way to say something is stuck in your mind, often used for songs, memories, or persistent thoughts.
That song is weighing on my mind (I can't get it out of my head).
Her last words weigh on my mind.
Means something is 'caught in one's heart/mind', implying a nagging feeling or something that bothers you subtly.
The way he said it weighs on my mind.
Literally 'mind scatters'. Used when something is distracting you or weighing on your mind so that you can't concentrate.
To express that a past action or decision is causing feelings of guilt or remorse.
Means feeling guilty or having a guilty conscience. It describes the state of mind when you've done something wrong and it bothers you.
Lying to him weighs on my mind.
To feel a prick of conscience, to feel guilty about something. Often used when hesitating to do something because it feels wrong.
Literally 'conscience hurts'. A stronger expression for when guilt is actively painful.
気になる is broader and can be used for anything that catches your attention, from mild curiosity to serious worry. 心配だ specifically means 'worried' and implies a stronger negative emotion about a potential bad outcome.
Avoid directly translating 'weigh on one's mind' into Japanese. Phrases like 心に重くのしかかる are not idiomatic and sound unnatural.
隣の部屋の音が気が散って勉強できない。
The noise from the next room weighs on my mind and I can't study.
Taking a day off work weighs on my mind (I feel guilty about it).
Betraying him weighs on my mind (my conscience hurts).