걱정하다 vs 염려하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 걱정하다
Listen to 염려하다
| 걱정하다 | 염려하다 |
|---|---|
geok-JEONG-ha-da verb | yeom-ryeo-ha-da verb |
| to worry; to be concerned about someone or something | to be concerned; to feel concern or care about someone's welfare or a possible problem |
How they differ
염려하다 is similar to 걱정하다 but often carries a slightly more formal or considerate tone and can imply thoughtful concern or caution about someone's well‑being rather than immediate emotional anxiety.
When to use each
When to use 걱정하다: Prefer 걱정하다 in everyday speech when you want to express personal or immediate worry.
When to use 염려하다: Prefer 염려하다 when you want a calmer, slightly more formal or polite expression of concern, or when writing about someone's welfare.
Side-by-side examples
- 어제부터 네가 너무 걱정돼.
(I've been worrying about you since yesterday.) - 부모님께서 네 건강을 염려하셨어.
(Your parents were concerned about your health.)
Register & nuance: Slightly more formal or polite than 걱정하다; common in both spoken polite and written contexts.