걱정하다 vs 근심하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 걱정하다
Listen to 근심하다
| 걱정하다 | 근심하다 |
|---|---|
geok-JEONG-ha-da verb | geun-sim-ha-da verb |
| to worry; to be concerned about someone or something | to worry deeply; to be anxious and troubled, often over a long period |
How they differ
근심하다 implies a heavier, more prolonged or sorrowful kind of worry than 걱정하다 and has a slightly literary or old‑fashioned tone, emphasizing depth and duration of anxiety.
When to use each
When to use 걱정하다: Choose 걱정하다 for neutral, common expressions of worry or concern in daily language.
When to use 근심하다: Choose 근심하다 to emphasize deep, long‑lasting worry or in more literary/formal descriptions of anxiety.
Side-by-side examples
- 시험 때문에 아이들이 걱정하고 있어.
(The children are worried because of the exam.) - 그녀는 남편의 병세를 오랫동안 근심했다.
(She worried about her husband's illness for a long time.)
Register & nuance: Somewhat literary or old‑fashioned; more common in formal writing or narrative contexts than in casual conversation.