Translation guide
How to express doing something in a worried manner in Japanese. The most natural approach is often to use an adverb derived from an adjective meaning 'worried' or 'anxious', or to describe the action with a phrase indicating worry.
Describing an action done while feeling worried or anxious
The most common and natural way to say 'worriedly'. It comes from 心配 (worry) + そう (seems) + に (adverbial form). Used when someone's appearance or action shows worry.
He looked at me worriedly.
My mother called me worriedly.
Similar to 心配そうに, but 不安 emphasizes a feeling of unease or anxiety rather than specific worry. Often used for a more internal, vague anxiety.
She looked around worriedly/anxiously.
A more literary or formal expression meaning 'with an air of concern'. 気遣わしい means 'worrisome' or 'concerning', and げに turns it into an adverb. Rare in casual speech.
The teacher peered into the student's face worriedly.
Focusing on the facial expression of worry
Literally 'with a worried-looking face'. This is a very natural way to describe someone doing something with a worried expression.
He nodded worriedly (with a worried look).
A slightly more descriptive phrase meaning 'with an anxious expression'. 不安げ is a na-adjective meaning 'looking anxious'.
Specifically for speaking in a worried tone
In Japanese, adverbs like 心配そうに usually come right before the verb they modify. Unlike English, they don't typically go at the beginning or end of a sentence.
He looked at the clock worriedly.
心配 (worry) is often about a specific concern or person, while 不安 (anxiety) is a more general, vague unease. Use 心配そうに when the worry is directed at something concrete, and 不安そうに for a more diffuse anxiety.
She was reading the letter worriedly (with an anxious expression).
She said worriedly, "Take care."