Meaning
忧 means to feel worry, anxiety, or concern about something. As a noun, it refers to the state of worry or sorrow itself. This character appears frequently in literary and formal contexts, often combined with other characters to form compound words related to mental distress or concern.
Usage
忧 is more formal and literary than everyday words like 担心. It's commonly used in written Chinese, news reports, and formal speech. Native speakers frequently use it in compound words like 忧虑 (worry) or 忧郁 (melancholy) rather than alone. In classical Chinese poetry and literature, it often appears as a standalone character expressing deep sorrow or concern.
Examples
- 01他为孩子的未来感到忧虑。.He feels worried about his child's future.
- 02杞人忧天的故事告诉我们不要过度担心。.The story of 'The man of Qi who worried the sky would fall' tells us not to worry excessively.
Common collocations
- 忧国忧民to worry about the country and the people
- 无忧无虑carefree, without worries
- 内忧外患internal troubles and external threats
- 忧心忡忡deeply worried, anxiety-ridden
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 憂 combines 心 (heart) with phonetic components, directly linking the concept of worry to the heart/mind. The simplified form 忧 retains this association with emotional distress.