I'm learning 日本語

不安 — meaning in English: anxiety

fuan · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for anxiety
エラー
erā
デメリット
demeritto
入力
nyūryoku
アパート
apāto
不安
fuan
Skip this question   
🎓
Learn Japanese for free
Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.
Start learning →
Already have an account? Log in
neutral common
Usage
Native speakers often use 不安 (fuan) in conversations about mental health, expressing feelings of unease or worry in situations like job interviews, exam preparations, or personal relationships. It is common in both casual discussions among friends and more serious contexts, such as therapy sessions or health-related dialogues.
Synonyms & nuances
While 不安 (fuan) specifically refers to anxiety or unease, a similar word is 心配 (shinpai), which translates to 'worry'. However, 心配 often conveys a more concerned feeling related to specific situations, whereas 不安 encompasses a broader sense of anxiety that may not be tied to a particular event.
Culture
The word 不安 (fuan) is composed of two characters: 不 (fu), which means 'not', and 安 (an), meaning 'peace' or 'safe'. This reflects the concept of lacking peace, a feeling that resonates with many in Japan, particularly in a society where mental health awareness has been growing in recent years. Interestingly, the term is often discussed in relation to the pressures of daily life, such as work-related stress or societal expectations, making it a culturally significant expression.
FAQ
Q.What does 不安 mean in English?
不安 (fuan) translates to 'anxiety' or 'unease' in English, often describing a general sense of worry about various aspects of life.
Q.How do you use 不安 in a sentence?
You can use 不安 in a sentence like this: '試験前は不安になる' (Shiken mae wa fuan ni naru), which means 'I feel anxious before exams.'
Q.Is 不安 considered a formal or informal word?
不安 is considered a neutral term, making it suitable for both informal conversations and more serious discussions, such as those in a professional or therapeutic context.
Learn japanese with Maspeak →
Japanese 2000