걱정하다 vs 우려하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 걱정하다
Listen to 우려하다
| 걱정하다 | 우려하다 |
|---|---|
geok-JEONG-ha-da verb | u-ryeo-ha-da verb |
| to worry; to be concerned about someone or something | to be concerned or apprehensive about a possible negative outcome; to fear something may go wrong |
How they differ
우려하다 is more formal and often used to point to anticipated risks or negative consequences; it tends to be more objective and less emotionally personal than 걱정하다 and is frequent in reports or official statements.
When to use each
When to use 걱정하다: Use 걱정하다 for personal, emotional worries in everyday conversation.
When to use 우려하다: Use 우려하다 when discussing potential problems, risks, or consequences in formal, public, or written contexts.
Side-by-side examples
- 그 결과가 너무 걱정돼요.
(I'm very worried about the result.) - 정부는 경제 악화에 대해 우려를 표명했다.
(The government expressed concern about the economic downturn.)
Register & nuance: More formal and often used in news, official statements, or formal writing rather than casual speech.