"Dān xīn" is a common verb meaning "to worry" or "to be anxious about something." Literally, 担 (dān) means "to carry" or "to bear," and 心 (xīn) means "heart" or "mind." Together, they evoke the image of carrying a heavy weight on one's heart — a vivid, culturally resonant metaphor for emotional concern. It expresses a feeling of unease or apprehension about a possible negative outcome, often involving someone or something important to the speaker.

This word is used in everyday spoken and written Chinese, typically followed by a clause introduced by "about" (e.g., 担心他迟到, "worry that he’ll be late") or a noun phrase (e.g., 担心健康, "worry about health"). It’s neutral in register — appropriate in both casual conversations and formal contexts — and frequently appears in expressions like 别担心 ("Don’t worry") or 我很担心 ("I’m very worried").