걱정하다 vs 근심하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 걱정하다
Listen to 근심하다
| 걱정하다 | 근심하다 |
|---|---|
/guhk-JUHNG-hah-dah/ verb | /geun-sim-hada/ verb |
| to worry; to be concerned or anxious about something or someone | to be deeply worried or distressed, often suggesting prolonged or heavy anxiety |
How they differ
근심하다 carries a stronger, more enduring or sorrowful tone than 걱정하다, which is more general and everyday; 근심하다 can feel more serious or literary. 걱정하다 can denote brief or ordinary worries, while 근심하다 implies a heavier burden of concern.
When to use each
When to use 걱정하다: Choose 걱정하다 for ordinary, everyday worries or when you want a neutral, conversational tone.
When to use 근심하다: Choose 근심하다 when describing deep, long-lasting anxiety or in more literary/serious contexts.
Side-by-side examples
- 아버지는 아이들의 성적을 많이 걱정하신다.
(Father worries a lot about the children's grades.) - 그녀는 남편의 건강 문제로 오래 근심해 왔다.
(She has been deeply worried for a long time about her husband's health issues.)
Register & nuance: 근심하다 is somewhat more literary or old-fashioned and less common in casual spoken Korean than 걱정하다.