担忧

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 担忧 (dānyōu) is a compound word consisting of two characters: 担 (dān) and 忧 (yōu). The character 担 (dān) originally meant "to carry on the shoulder" or "to bear a burden". In the context of 担忧, it carries the meaning of "to worry about" or "to be concerned about". The character 忧 (yōu) means "sorrow", "grief", or "anxiety". When combined, the two characters 担 and 忧 form the word 担忧, which literally means "to carry sorrow" or "to bear anxiety". This compound word accurately captures the feeling of being burdened by worries or concerns, making it a suitable term to express the emotion of anxiety or apprehension.