Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the idea of worrying excessively in Japanese. It includes common verbs, adjectives, and phrases, organized by nuance and naturalness.
To say that someone worries too much in general, or about something specific.
The most direct and common way to say 'worry too much'. It's a verb phrase using 心配 (worry) + しすぎる (do too much).
He always worries too much.
Don't worry so much.
Means 'to mind/care too much'. Often used when someone is overly concerned about minor things or others' opinions.
You worry too much about little things.
Literally 'think too much'. Used when someone overthinks a situation, leading to unnecessary worry.
You'll get tired if you worry too much (overthink).
A noun/adjective meaning 'tendency to worry' or 'worrier'. Describes a person's nature.
I'm a worrier, so I get anxious easily.
To emphasize that the worry is excessive or irrational, often with a negative connotation.
Noun form of 'worrying too much'. Often used in statements like 'It's just excessive worry'.
That's worrying too much.
A literary/formal term meaning 'groundless fear' or 'unnecessary worry', from a Chinese parable. Rare in casual speech.
Informal ways to tell someone they're worrying too much, often used among friends.
心配しすぎる focuses on anxiety about potential negative outcomes. 気にしすぎる is more about being overly concerned or bothered by something, often trivial. Use 心配しすぎる for health or safety worries, and 気にしすぎる for social or minor issues.
Worry too much about health.
Worry too much about what others think.
The phrase 'worry too much' cannot be directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Using 心配する (worry) + すぎる (too much) is the natural equivalent. Do not use あまりにも心配する, which sounds awkward.
A set phrase meaning 'worrying in advance' or 'borrowing trouble'. Used when someone worries about something that hasn't happened yet.
Worrying so much now is just borrowing trouble.
それは杞憂に終わった。
It turned out to be a groundless fear.