Translation guide
The English phrase 'worry about' expresses concern or anxiety over something. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the verb 心配する (shinpai suru) or the adjective 心配 (shinpai). However, Japanese offers several other expressions that convey different nuances of worry, from mild concern to deep anxiety. This guide covers the most natural ways to express 'worry about' depending on context and intensity.
Expressing that you are worried or concerned about someone or something in a general sense.
The most common and versatile way to say 'worry about'. It can be used for people, situations, health, etc. It is a suru-verb, so it conjugates like する.
I'm worried about his health.
I'm worried about the exam results.
The noun/adjective form. Often used with だ/です or as the object of する. 心配だ is a common way to say 'I'm worried'.
I'm worried about my mother.
Literally 'to mind' or 'to be concerned about'. It implies a more mental preoccupation, often about what others think or minor issues. Can be used negatively to tell someone not to worry.
He worries too much about what others think.
Please don't worry about it.
Means 'to be troubled' or 'to worry' over a problem, often implying deeper, ongoing distress or indecision. It is intransitive and takes the particle で or に for the cause.
I'm worrying about my future.
Focusing the worry on a particular object, often using the particle を or が.
The direct object pattern. Use を to mark what you are worrying about.
I'm worried about my child's future.
Using the adjective form with が to mark the thing that causes worry. Very common in spoken Japanese.
I'm worried about earthquakes.
Used specifically when worrying about a person. のこと adds a nuance of 'the matter of' or 'things about' that person, making it sound more natural than just を.
I'm so worried about her that I can't sleep.
Expressing that someone worries too much or is a worrywart.
A noun meaning 'tendency to worry' or 'worrier'. Often used to describe a person's personality.
I'm a worrier, so I get anxious easily.
An onomatopoeic verb meaning to brood or fret over something, often used negatively to tell someone to stop worrying.
Don't worry about it. / Stop brooding.
Reassuring someone or dismissing concerns.
心配する is the most general 'worry about' and can be used for any concern. 気にする implies a lighter, often mental preoccupation, like 'to mind' or 'to be bothered by'. 悩む suggests deeper, more personal anguish or indecision, often about a problem you are struggling with.
Parents always worry about their children.
He is bothered by a small mistake.
She is troubled by her relationships.
English often uses 'worry about' with a gerund (e.g., 'I worry about making mistakes'). In Japanese, it's more natural to nominalize the verb phrase with こと or の, or use a different structure. For example, 'I worry about making mistakes' is naturally ミスをすることを心配する or ミスが心配だ, not a direct translation with a verb+こと.
I'm worried about the future.
Don't worry about me.
She worries about everything.