ziu1 leoi6焦慮焦虑
Jyutpingziu1 leoi6
Yalejīu leuih
Definition
Anxious, tense, and constantly worrying about trivial things.
neutralemotionhealth
How it's used
While 焦慮 is understood in casual speech, it carries a slightly clinical or formal weight compared to more common colloquial expressions like 緊張 or 擔心. It is frequently used when describing a persistent state of unease or a psychological condition rather than just a fleeting moment of nervousness. If you are just feeling nervous about an upcoming test, 緊張 is usually the more natural choice.
Examples
He has been very anxious lately and cannot sleep at all.
Why are you so anxious? It is not a big deal anyway.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 焦慮 to describe being excited or eager, but it strictly refers to negative anxiety or worry. Do not use it to express anticipation for a fun event.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
