What mistake do English speakers make with 걱정?

걱정 and 불안 are both anxiety-related but different. 걱정 = worry about a specific thing. 불안 = a general, diffuse anxiety or unease.

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걱정

geokjeong

worry / concern

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What it means

걱정 is the Korean word for worry or anxiety. 걱정하다 = to worry. 걱정 마세요 = don't worry. A staple of K-drama dialogue when characters care about each other.

Nuance & when to use

걱정되다 = to be worried (about someone/something). 걱정이 많다 = to have a lot of worries. 걱정하지 마 = don't worry (casual). Korean culture often expresses care through worry — saying 걱정했어요 (I was worried about you) is a sign of deep affection.

Example sentences

걱정 마세요, 잘 될 거예요. Geokjeong maseyo, jal doel geoyeyo. Don't worry, it will work out.

걱정이 돼요. Geokjeongi dwaeyo. I'm worried.

References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗

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걱정

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