愁 (chóu) - To worry & to be anxious

愁Tone 2

chóu ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

愁 · chóu

To worry;

to be anxious;

to feel distressed;

sorrow;

melancholy.

To worryto be anxiousto feel distressed

Usage highlights

To worryMelancholyWorried expressionWorried frownAnxious and waitingSorrow and resentment

Synonyms

  • 忧— to worry; anxiety
  • 虑— to ponder with concern; anxiety
  • 烦— to be vexed; troubled

Antonyms

  • 乐— happy; joyful
  • 喜— delighted; pleased
  • 欢— merry; cheerful

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She is worried about her exam (她为考试发愁).
  • Don't worry too much about it (别为此事太忧愁).
  • He has a melancholy expression on his face (他面带愁容).
  • This problem is giving me a headache (这个问题让我愁死了).

Collocations

  • To worry(发愁)
  • Melancholy(忧愁)
  • Worried expression(愁容)
  • Worried frown(愁眉)
  • Anxious and waiting(愁等)
  • Sorrow and resentment(愁怨)

Idioms

  • Worried brows and bitter eyes(愁眉苦眼)
  • Worrying oneself unnecessarily(愁愁不乐)
  • So worried it turns one's hair white(愁白了头)
  • Full of sorrow and resentment(愁怨满怀)
  • Worrying about the nation and its people(愁国愁民)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese poetry and literature, 愁 often represents the melancholy and sorrow of scholars and literati.
  • The character combines 秋 (autumn) and 心 (heart), suggesting 'autumn in the heart' - a season associated with melancholy.
  • Traditional Chinese medicine considers excessive worry (愁) harmful to the spleen and stomach.

FAQ