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March 24, 2026
着急(著急)zháojí(zhao2ji2)
着急 (zhao2 ji2) means to feel anxious or worried, often about a situation that is out of one's control. It is commonly used when someone is concerned about the well-being of others or when facing an imminent deadline. The nuance suggests a sense of urgency and emotional distress.
Frequency#3134DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing worry or anxiety about others is often seen as a sign of care and affection, especially within families. The phrase '别着急' (don't worry) is commonly used to reassure friends and family members during stressful times.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person who is '着' (zhao) in a hurry, frantically '急' (ji) looking for something important they misplaced. The character '着' resembles a person who is focused, while '急' contains the idea of speed and urgency, helping you remember that this word is about feeling anxious.
Meanings of 着急
zháojí(zhao2ji2)
1to worry
2to feel anxious
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About 着急
着急Simplified
著急Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3134Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 着急
Podcast: 着急
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AI Study Notes for 着急
Quick Contrast
焦急 (jiāojí) vs 着急 (zháojí): use 着急 for general anxiety about situations, while 焦急 emphasizes a more intense, urgent worry.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person who is '着' (zhao) in a hurry, frantically '急' (ji) looking for something important they misplaced. The character '着' resembles a person who is focused, while '急' contains the idea of speed and urgency, helping you remember that this word is about feeling anxious.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 着急 with other words expressing concern, such as 担心 (dān xīn), which is more general. 着急 is typically used in more informal contexts, often with family and friends. Common collocations include '我很着急' (I am very anxious) and '别着急' (Don't worry).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 着急 connects with other emotional vocabulary like 开心 (happy) and 难过 (sad). Focus on using it in sentences to express your feelings or concerns, which will enhance your conversational skills.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing worry or anxiety about others is often seen as a sign of care and affection, especially within families. The phrase '别着急' (don't worry) is commonly used to reassure friends and family members during stressful times.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 着急 to mean 'excited' or 'happy', which is incorrect. Instead, use 开心 (kāi xīn) for happy feelings. For example, saying '我很着急' (I am very excited) is wrong; it should convey worry, not excitement.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 着急
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Grammar Patterns of 着急
着急 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Before you ask – No, Rudy T is not interested in coaching.
7
你干着急顶什么用?
nǐ gān zháo jí dǐng shí mó yòng?
What's the use of just worrying and doing nothing about it?
8
不要着急嘛.
bù yào zháo jí má.
There is no need to flap.
Cultural Notes for 着急
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing worry or anxiety about others is often seen as a sign of care and affection, especially within families. The phrase '别着急' (don't worry) is commonly used to reassure friends and family members during stressful times.
Frequently Asked Questions about 着急
In mainland China, it's pronounced 'zhao2 ji2', while in Taiwan, it is pronounced 'zhāo jí'.
No, 着急 specifically refers to anxiety or worry, not excitement.
Primarily, yes. It conveys a sense of distress, so it's typically used in negative situations.
