กังวล

Explanation

กังวล is a common neutral word for the unsettled feeling that comes from repeatedly thinking about a possible problem or an uncertain outcome. Thai words describing emotions or states can function directly as predicates, so ฉันกังวล means “I'm worried” without a separate verb meaning “be.” Use กังวลเรื่อง followed by a noun for the subject of the worry, and กังวลว่า followed by a clause for what you fear may happen. Adding ความ forms the noun ความกังวล, meaning “worry” or “anxiety.”

Usage

It is widely used when discussing work, exams, health, money, family, relationships, or future plans—especially when the outcome is uncertain. It sounds natural in both everyday conversation and general writing. ไม่ต้องกังวล (“Don't worry”) is a particularly common reassuring expression.

Caution

กังวล normally concerns an unresolved problem or something that might happen. Use กลัว when the main feeling is fear of a person, thing, or immediate danger. In everyday Thai, กังวลเรื่อง is usually a more natural and concise way to say “worry about” than กังวลเกี่ยวกับ.

1 worry synonyms

• กลัว

  klua worry that

  กลัว means to be afraid of danger or something unpleasant. กังวล describes worry caused by thinking about what may happen.

• วิตกกังวล

  วิตกกังวล expresses pronounced anxiety and is common in more formal, psychological, or medical contexts. กังวล is the more general everyday word and can also describe ordinary concerns.

• ห่วง

  hùaŋ worry about

  ห่วง often expresses caring concern for someone's safety or well-being. กังวล focuses more on the speaker's mental uneasiness about a possible negative outcome.