忧虑

yōulǜ

to worry

HSK 7

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"忧虑" (yōulǜ) refers to a state of worry or anxiety about something uncertain or potentially negative. It is often used to describe emotional concern about future events or situations.

Common Contexts

This word is frequently used in contexts involving personal concerns, such as health, family, exams, or work. It conveys a deeper, more serious kind of worry than casual concern.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 忧虑未来 (worry about the future): expressing concern about what is to come.
  • 充满忧虑 (full of worry): describing someone overwhelmed by anxiety.
  • 减轻忧虑 (reduce worry): actions or advice aimed at easing anxiety.

Usage Notes

"忧虑" is more formal and literary compared to colloquial words like "担心". It often appears in written language, news reports, or formal speech. Avoid confusing it with "担心", which is more casual and common in daily conversation.

Example Sentences

她对孩子的未来充满忧虑。

Tā duì háizi de wèilái chōngmǎn yōulǜ.

She is full of worries about her child's future.

面对考试,他感到很大的忧虑。

Miànduì kǎoshì, tā gǎndào hěn dà de yōulǜ.

He feels great anxiety facing the exam.

忧虑过多会影响健康。

Yōulǜ guòduō huì yǐngxiǎng jiànkāng.

Excessive worry can affect health.