不安
fuan[ɸɯ̟ã̠ɴ]
The English word 'anxiety' is translated into Japanese as 不安 (fuan).
不安 refers to a state of uneasiness, nervousness, apprehension and obsession.
Meaning: state of uneasiness, nervousness, apprehension and obsession (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters 不 (fu), meaning 'not' and 安 (an), meaning 'peace' or 'rest', literally translating to 'lack of peace'.
Which one should you use?
While 不安 refers to a general state of unease or apprehension, the word 心配 is more specifically used for a concrete worry or concern about a particular situation or person.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 不安 as an adjective to describe a person or a feeling, you must add the particle な (na) to form the na-adjective 不安な.
How do you pronounce it?
fuan
Did you know?
- The character 安 is visually composed of a roof over a woman, historically suggesting the idea of 'peace' or 'safety' found within a home.
- In Japanese, the feeling of 不安 can be described as 募る mounoru, which literally means to 'pile up' or 'accumulate' like a growing mound of snow.
- The phrase 不安 is frequently used in Japanese product safety warnings to describe 'instability' in a physical structure, not just emotional distress.
Examples in context
- 一抹の不安が頭をよぎる。A hint of anxiety crosses my mind.This sentence is useful for illustrating how a hint of the form 不安 can cross one's mind.Tatoeba #11027278 by small_snow, translation #12614635 by urro
- あの人達には何の心配事も不安もない。They are free from care and anxiety.This sentence shows how someone can be free from both care and the form 不安.Tatoeba #230699 by small_snow, translation #68066 by Luornu
- 彼女は不安で気も狂わんばかりだった。Her anxiety almost drove her wild.This sentence demonstrates how the form 不安 can drive a person to the point of feeling wild.Tatoeba #86990 by mookeee, translation #316720 by CM
- 彼女の健康が心配です。I am worried about her health.
- 彼の不安は理解できます。I understand his anxiety.
- 大勢の前で話すのは緊張します。Speaking in front of a large audience makes me anxious.
- あの人に話しかけるとドキドキする。I get anxious/nervous when talking to that person.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki is worried about an upcoming job interview.
- 美咲 Misaki明日、面接があるから不安なんだ。Ashita, mensetsu ga aru kara fuan nanda.I'm anxious because I have an interview tomorrow.
- 大翔 Hiroto準備は十分したから大丈夫だよ。Junbi wa juubun shita kara daijoubu dayo.You've prepared enough, so you'll be fine.
- 美咲 Misakiそうかな。でも、やっぱり不安で仕方ないよ。Sou kana. Demo, yappari fuan de shikatanai yo.I wonder. But I still can't help feeling anxious.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲ならきっとうまくいくよ。Misaki nara kitto umaku iku yo.I'm sure you'll do great, Misaki.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 不安, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
