Definition

1. Verb:

   • To be worried or anxious: To feel troubled, uneasy, or concerned about a potential problem or an uncertain outcome.
   • To be apprehensive: To have a feeling of fear or unease about something that might happen in the future.

2. Noun:

   • A worry or concern: A feeling of anxiety or a specific cause for this feeling.
   • An apprehension: A sense of anxiousness about the future.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Tôi lo ngại về sự an toàn của họ. (I am worried about their safety.)
  • Các chuyên gia lo ngại tình hình sẽ xấu đi. (Experts are apprehensive that the situation will worsen.)
• Noun:
  • Mối lo ngại lớn nhất của anh ấy là sức khỏe gia đình. (His biggest concern is his family's health.)
  • Những lo ngại về kinh tế đang gia tăng. (Economic apprehensions are growing.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal or serious contexts, often stronger than the more common "lo lắng".
• Can be used to describe institutional or public concern.
  • Chính phủ bày tỏ lo ngại về an ninh mạng. (The government expressed concern about cybersecurity.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lo lắng (v/n): To worry / a worry. (A more general and common term for worry.)
• Băn khoăn (v): To be pondering or troubled with doubt.
• E ngại (v): To be hesitant or wary, often due to fear of consequences.

Synonyms

• Worry: To feel anxious or troubled.
• Concern: A feeling of worry or care about something.
• Apprehension: Anxiety or fear that something bad will happen.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Chứa đầy lo ngại: To be filled with apprehension.
  • Bầu không khí chứa đầy lo ngại trước thông báo. (The atmosphere was filled with apprehension before the announcement.)
• Dẹp bỏ lo ngại: To set aside worries.
  • Chúng ta cần dẹp bỏ lo ngại và hành động. (We need to set aside our worries and act.)