Meaning and Usage
The adjective '걱정스럽다' describes a feeling of anxiety, worry, or unease about a situation or person. It is often used to express concern in a somewhat formal or literary tone, more emotional than the simple verb '걱정하다'.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear '걱정스럽다' when talking about health, safety, or uncertain outcomes. It conveys a deeper emotional state than just casual worry.
Collocations and Patterns
- 걱정스러운 마음: a worried heart or feeling
- 걱정스러운 표정: a worried expression
- 걱정스러워하다: to feel worried (used with people as the subject)
Usage Notes
This word is often used in written or formal spoken Korean rather than casual conversation. Learners sometimes confuse it with '걱정하다' (to worry), but '걱정스럽다' is an adjective describing the state of being worried, not the action.
Use it to describe feelings or atmospheres that cause anxiety, especially when emphasizing the emotional weight of the concern.