憂 (yōu) - Worry, sorrow, grief, anxiety & to be concerned about, to worry

憂Tone 1

yōu ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

咏与

憂 · yōu

Worry, sorrow, grief, anxiety;

to be concerned about, to worry;

melancholy.

Worry, sorrow, grief, anxietyto be concerned about, to worrymelancholy.

Usage highlights

Worry and anxietyMelancholy and sorrowDepressionInternal worry and external hardshipWorry about the nationWorry about the people

Synonyms

  • 愁— Worry, sorrow
  • 慮— Anxiety, concern
  • 鬱— Depression, melancholy

Antonyms

  • 樂— Joy, happiness
  • 喜— Delight, pleasure
  • 歡— Cheer, merriment

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She was filled with worry (憂慮).
  • He suffers from depression (憂鬱症).
  • They are concerned about the future (為未來擔憂).
  • A melancholic expression (憂傷的表情).

Collocations

  • Worry and anxiety(憂慮)
  • Melancholy and sorrow(憂傷)
  • Depression(憂鬱)
  • Internal worry and external hardship(內憂外患)
  • Worry about the nation(憂國)
  • Worry about the people(憂民)

Idioms

  • Worry about the world before others, enjoy after others(先天下之憂而憂，後天下之樂而樂)
  • Internal worry and external hardship(內憂外患)
  • Worrying about gains and losses(憂喜參半)
  • Sleep peacefully without worries(High枕無憂)
  • Like the man of Qi who feared the sky would fall - unnecessary worry(杞人憂天)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian thought, the ideal scholar-official should 'worry about the world before others' - showing concern for society.
  • The character reflects traditional Chinese emphasis on social responsibility and collective concern.
  • In traditional medicine, excessive worry is considered harmful to the spleen and stomach.

FAQ