Definition

1. Noun:

   • Worry / Anxiety: A state of deep concern, unease, or troubled thought about actual or potential problems. It implies a serious, often prolonged, state of mental distress.
   • Care / Solicitude: A sense of serious responsibility and concern, often for important matters.

2. Adjective (Archaic/Literary):

   • Worried / Anxious / Preoccupied: Being in a state of deep thought and concern. This usage is more common in classical or formal literary contexts.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Tránh để ưu lự ảnh hưởng đến sức khỏe. (Avoid letting worry affect your health.)
  • Ông ấy mang nỗi ưu lự về tương lai của đất nước. (He carries a deep concern for the future of the country.)

• Adjective (Archaic):

  • Gương mặt ưu lự của người mẹ. (The worried face of the mother.)
  • Nhà vua ưu lự việc nước. (The king was preoccupied with affairs of state.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "ưu lự" is considered formal and is often used in literary, poetic, or philosophical contexts. It conveys a deeper, more profound level of worry than more common words like "lo lắng."
• It can be used to describe a dignified or noble worry, such as concern for one's country or major societal issues.

Variants and Related Words

• Ưu tư (n, adj): A very close synonym, also meaning worry or pensive thought. The two are often interchangeable.
• Lo lắng (v, n): To worry / worry. This is the most common, everyday term for worry.
• Phiền muộn (n, adj): Sorrow, melancholy; implies sadness mixed with worry.

Synonyms

• Anxiety: A feeling of worry or unease.
• Solicitude: Care or concern for someone or something.
• Preoccupation: The state of being engrossed in thought.

Related Idioms

• Mang nặng ưu tư/ưu lự: To be burdened with worry.
  • Vị tướng mang nặng ưu lự trước trận đánh. (The general was heavily burdened with worry before the battle.)