忧 (yōu) - to worry & to be anxious

忧Tone 1

yōu ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 忄

咏与

忧 · yōu

to worry;

to be anxious;

sorrow;

grief;

concern

to worryto be anxioussorrow

Usage highlights

to worryworry and sorrowanxiety and concernsad and worriedworried expressionworried about the country

Synonyms

  • 愁— worry; sorrow
  • 虑— anxiety; concern
  • 担心— to worry; to be concerned

Antonyms

  • 乐— happy; joyful
  • 喜— delight; happiness
  • 欢— joy; merriment

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She is worried about her exam results (担忧 exam results).
  • He has many worries in life (生活中有许多忧愁).
  • Don't worry too much about the future (不要为未来过度忧虑).
  • This news brings me great sorrow (这个消息让我很忧伤).

Collocations

  • to worry(担忧)
  • worry and sorrow(忧愁)
  • anxiety and concern(忧虑)
  • sad and worried(忧伤)
  • worried expression(忧色)
  • worried about the country(忧国)

Idioms

  • Worry about the world before others, enjoy the world after others(先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐)
  • High spirits without worries(高枕无忧)
  • Internal trouble and external aggression(内忧外患)
  • Worried about gains and losses(忧心忡忡)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian thought, a virtuous person should 'worry about the world before others' - showing concern for society.
  • The character reflects traditional Chinese emphasis on emotional restraint and proper concern for others.
  • Often appears in classical poetry expressing melancholy or concern for the state of the world.

FAQ