Meaning
牵挂 describes the emotional state of thinking about and worrying about someone you care about, especially when they are far away or facing difficulties. It carries a warm, affectionate tone and implies a deep emotional connection. The word combines the sense of being 'pulled' or 'tied to' someone in your thoughts with the feeling of having them 'hanging' on your mind.
Usage
Most commonly used between family members, close friends, or romantic partners to express missing and caring about someone. It's a relatively formal or literary expression compared to casual equivalents like 想 (xiǎng). Often appears in written contexts, emotional speeches, or when expressing deep feelings. Parents frequently use this word when talking about their children who live far away.
Examples
- 01母亲总是牵挂着在外地工作的女儿。'.The mother is always worried about her daughter who works in another city.
- 02他心里一直有个牵挂，就是家乡的老人。, .He has always had a concern in his heart, which is the elderly people in his hometown.
Characters
Common collocations
- 心中的牵挂concern in one's heart
- 放不下的牵挂concern that one cannot let go of
- 牵挂着to be worried about
Antonyms
Origin
The compound literally means 'to pull and hang,' creating a vivid metaphor of someone being suspended in your thoughts, constantly pulling at your heart and mind.