不安

ふあん

anxiety, uneasiness

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"不安" describes a state of mental unease, anxiety, or restlessness. It often refers to feelings of worry or nervousness about uncertain situations, such as exams, jobs, or the future.

Common Contexts

People use 不安 to express emotional discomfort or insecurity. It can describe temporary feelings before an event or more persistent anxiety about life circumstances.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 不安 (sense of unease): emphasizes the feeling itself.
  • 不安 (feel uneasy): common verb phrase to express experiencing this feeling.
  • 不安 (uneasy in the heart/mind): highlights internal emotional state.

Nuances

不安 is more emotional and subjective than words like "担心" (to worry). It often implies a deeper or more general anxiety rather than concern about a specific fact.

Common Confusion

Don't confuse 不安 with 不安 (unsafe). 不安 relates to feelings, while 不安 refers to physical safety.

Summary

Use 不安 when describing emotional unrest or anxiety, especially in personal or psychological contexts. It is a useful word for expressing nervousness, worry, or inner turmoil in everyday conversation.

Example Sentences

I feel very uneasy before the exam.

He feels uneasy because his job is unstable.

The child feels a bit uneasy at night and keeps waking up.

She feels uneasy about the future and doesn't know what to do.

After hearing that news, he felt very uneasy inside.