Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '초조' expresses a feeling of anxiety, nervousness, or impatience. It often describes emotional states where someone feels uneasy or restless due to uncertainty or anticipation.
Common Contexts
'초조' is frequently used when waiting for important news, results, or outcomes, such as exam results, medical reports, or decisions. It can also describe physical signs of nervousness, like fidgeting.
Collocations and Patterns
- 초조하다: to feel anxious or nervous (common verb form)
- 초조하게 기다리다: to wait anxiously
- 초조한 마음: an anxious mind
These collocations help express the intensity and nature of the anxious feeling.
Register and Nuance
'초조' is a neutral term used in both spoken and written Korean. It is appropriate in formal and informal contexts. It conveys a genuine emotional state without exaggeration.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '초조' with '긴장' (tension, nervousness). While both relate to nervous feelings, '초조' emphasizes impatience and restlessness, whereas '긴장' often relates to stress or pressure in performance situations. Use '초조' when focusing on anxious waiting or impatience.