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.
彼の健康を心配しています。
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'.
母のことが心配です。
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.
彼は他人の目を気にしすぎる。
He worries too much about what others think.
気にしないでください。
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.
将来のことで悩んでいる。
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.
子供の将来を心配しています。
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.
地震が心配だ。
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.
彼女のことが心配で眠れない。
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.
私は心配性だから、すぐに不安になる。
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.
くよくよするな。
Don't worry about it. / Stop brooding.
Reassuring someone or dismissing concerns.
The standard way to say 'Don't worry'. Casual form of 心配しないでください.
心配しないで、大丈夫だから。
Don't worry, it'll be fine.
Means 'Don't mind it' or 'Don't worry about it', often used for minor issues or when someone apologizes.
気にしないで、誰にでもあることだよ。
Don't worry about it, it happens to everyone.
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.
親はいつも子供のことを心配している。
Parents always worry about their children.
彼は小さなミスを気にしている。
He is bothered by a small mistake.
彼女は人間関係で悩んでいる。
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.
将来が心配です。
I'm worried about the future.
私のことは心配しないで。
Don't worry about me.
彼女は何でも心配する。
She worries about everything.