cāoxīn: 操心 - To Worry About, To Be Concerned About, To Take Pains Over

Keywords: caoxin, 操心, 操心 meaning, Chinese word for worry, to be concerned in Chinese, take pains over, manage and worry, caoxin vs danxin, Chinese family values, HSK 5 vocabulary.

Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 操心 (cāoxīn), which means “to worry about” or “to be concerned about.” Unlike the simple English word “worry,” `操心` implies an active, hands-on concern, often involving taking responsibility and managing a situation, particularly for one's family, children, or important projects. This page explores its cultural significance, practical usage, and key differences from similar words like `担心 (dānxīn)`.

Pinyin (with tone marks): cāo xīn

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: To worry about and take trouble/pains over someone or something.

In a Nutshell: `操心` is not just a passive feeling of anxiety; it's an active verb of care. Think of it as “managing a worry.” It describes the mental and often physical effort one expends when they are responsible for someone's well-being or the success of a task. It carries a sense of burden and duty, most commonly associated with parents caring for their children or a diligent manager overseeing a project.

操 (cāo): The left part, `扌`, is the “hand” radical, indicating an action done with the hands. The right part provides the sound. The character's core meaning is to grasp, to hold, to operate, or to manage.

心 (xīn): This character is a pictogram of the human heart. It means “heart,” “mind,” or “center,” representing thoughts and emotions.

The characters combine to literally mean “to grasp the heart” or “to operate with the heart.” This vividly illustrates the concept: a concern has taken hold of your heart and mind, and you are actively engaged in handling it.

In Chinese culture, `操心` is deeply intertwined with family responsibility and Confucian values. It is considered a natural and expected part of being a parent, elder, or responsible person. Parents are expected to `操心` for their children's education, health, career, and even marriage, long into adulthood. A child who is well-behaved and successful is described as `省心 (shěngxīn)`—“saving the parents' worry.”

Comparison with Western Culture: `操心` can be compared to the English idea of “being a concerned parent,” but it's more deeply ingrained as a cultural virtue. While excessive `操心` might be criticized in the West as “helicopter parenting” or “micromanaging,” a moderate and expected level of `操心` is seen in China as a fundamental expression of love, duty, and care. Not to `操心` for one's family could be perceived as cold or irresponsible. The term itself carries the weight of this cultural expectation.

In the Family: This is the most common context. Parents constantly `操心` about their children. A common phrase children tell their parents is `别为我操心了 (bié wèi wǒ cāoxīn le)`, meaning “Don't worry about me.”

At Work: A dedicated manager or team leader will `操心` over the details of a project to ensure its success. It implies they are personally invested and taking pains to manage all aspects.

False Friend: Do not treat `操心` as a direct equivalent of the English “to worry.” Always remember the added layer of responsibility, management, and effort. It's closer to “to fret over and manage” or “to take pains for.”

担心 (dānxīn) - The general, more passive feeling of “to worry.” The most common point of confusion with `操心`.

费心 (fèixīn) - To go to a lot of trouble for someone; focuses more on the effort and trouble taken out of kindness. Very similar to `操心` but less about the burden of worry.

省心 (shěngxīn) - Antonym. “To save worry.” Describes a person or situation that is easy to manage and doesn't cause problems.

挂念 (guàniàn) - To miss or be concerned about someone who is far away. It's an emotional longing and worry, less about active management.

发愁 (fāchóu) - To worry or be anxious, especially because one feels there's no good solution to a problem. It implies a sense of helplessness.

管 (guǎn) - To manage, control, or be in charge of. Excessive `操心` can lead to others feeling that you `管` too much (meddle).

责任 (zérèn) - Responsibility. The feeling of `责任` is the primary driver for a person to `操心`.

劳神 (láoshén) - To trouble somebody (to do something); to tax one's nerves. Similar to `费心`, it highlights the mental effort required.

费力 (fèilì) - To expend effort; describes the physical or mental exertion, which is often a part of `操心`.