Korean Dictionary
How to say "Worried" in Korean
“Worried” in Korean is 걱정하다 (pronounced "Geokjeonghada").
걱정하다
Geokjeonghada
Usage & Context
One of the most common emotional expressions in Korean daily life. 걱정하지 마세요 (don't worry) is heard constantly. Korean parents and elders frequently express worry about loved ones as a form of care and love.
Example Sentence
너무 걱정하지 마세요. 다 잘 될 거예요.
Don't worry too much. Everything will work out.
How to use 걱정하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Worried” is 걱정하다, romanized as Geokjeonghada.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 걱정하다.
Pronunciation Guide
걱 (Geok) sounds like 'gock' with a short 'o' and a soft 'k' at the end. 정 (jeong) is like 'jeong' in 'Jeong-guk'. 하 (ha) is like 'ha' in 'haha'. 다 (da) is like 'da' in 'dad'. The stress is fairly even.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
걱정해요
Geokjeonghaeyo
Common polite form, used in everyday conversations.
Casual (반말)
걱정해
Geokjeonghae
Casual form, used among close friends or to subordinates.
More Example Sentences
Expressing personal anxiety about an upcoming event.
시험 때문에 잠을 못 자서 걱정돼요.
I can't sleep because of the exam, so I'm worried.
Describing parental concern for their child.
부모님은 항상 제가 잘 지내는지 걱정하세요.
My parents always worry about whether I'm doing well.
Reassuring someone and offering assistance.
너무 걱정하지 마세요. 제가 도와드릴게요.
Don't worry too much. I'll help you.
Cultural Context
걱정하다 is a cornerstone of Korean interpersonal relationships, especially within families. Parents often express their love through '걱정' (worry) for their children, which can sometimes be perceived as overprotective by Western standards. Phrases like '걱정 마' (Don't worry) or '걱정하지 마세요' are incredibly common, used to comfort others. In K-dramas, you'll often hear characters expressing worry for their loved ones as a sign of deep affection.
Editorial note
We review entries like 걱정하다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
걱정 마
Don't worry (casual)
걱정하지 마세요
Please don't worry (polite)
걱정이 많다
To have many worries
Related Expressions
염려하다
Yeomnyeohada
To worry, to be concerned (more formal synonym)
근심하다
Geunsimhada
To worry, to be anxious (slightly more literary/deeper worry)
안심하다
Ansimhada
To be relieved, to feel at ease (antonym)
불안하다
Buranhada
To be anxious, uneasy (related concept, often a result of worry)
More Emotions Words
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