Translation and Meaning of: 案じる - anjiru

If you've ever found yourself anxious or deeply reflecting on something, you may have felt something close to what the Japanese express with the verb 案じる (あんじる - anjiru). This word, which carries nuances of concern and contemplation, is more than just a simple term—it reflects a common mental state in everyday life in Japan. In this article, we will explore its etymology, its use in daily life, the pictogram that composes it, and even tips to memorize it. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition system, get ready to include practical examples in your deck!

Etymology and Origin of 案じる

The verb 案じる has its roots in the kanji 案 (あん - an), which means "plan" or "proposal," combined with the suffix じる (jiru), indicating action or state. Interestingly, the kanji 案 also appears in words like 提案 (ていあん - teian), which means "suggestion," showing a connection to the idea of reflecting before acting. Its origin dates back to classical Chinese, where 案 was used in contexts of careful deliberation, something that the Japanese have mastered beautifully.

One curiosity is that, although 案じる is often associated with anxiety, it doesn't carry a tone as negative as the English term "anxiety." Instead, it suggests a productive concern, almost as if you are "stewing your mind" to solve something. Have you noticed how the Japanese have a unique ability to transform even restlessness into something more philosophical?

Lies in Japanese Everyday Life

In Japan, 案じる is not a verb you hear all the time—it appears more in formal or literary contexts. For example, a boss might say 彼の健康を案じている (かれのけんこうをあんじている - kare no kenkou o anjite iru), or "I am concerned about his health," showing a genuine yet restrained concern. It is also common to see it in novels or speeches, where the nuance of deep reflection fits perfectly.

If you are learning Japanese, it's worth noting that 案じる is less colloquial than 心配する (しんぱいする - shinpai suru), another verb for "to worry." While the latter is used even in casual conversations, the former has a more serious tone. Imagine the difference between saying "I am thinking about this" and "I am brooding over this"—the emotional weight changes completely.

Pictogram and Tips for Memorization

The kanji 案 is composed of two elements: 木 (き - ki), which means "wood," and 安 (あん - an), which conveys the idea of "peace." Together, they create the image of a "wooden table" where something is planned—a visual metaphor for reflection. If you have ever seen a writer tapping their fingers on the table while thinking, you will understand why this combination makes sense.

To memorize, how about associating 案じる with the scene of a detective analyzing clues? He is 案じている, that is, pondering every detail. Another tip is to create flashcards with sentences like 未来を案じる (みらいをあんじる - mirai o anjiru), which means "to worry about the future". This way, you fix the verb in a real context, away from meaningless rote learning.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 案じる

• 案じる - basic form
• 案じます - Formal gift form
• 案じました - Formal past tense
• 案じて - て imperative form
• 案じない - negative form

Synonyms and similar words

• 心配する (shinpai suru) - To worry
• 悩む (nayamu) - Suffering with worry or anguish, usually about something personal
• 憂慮する (yūryo suru) - To be more deeply concerned about possible negative consequences
• 懸念する (kenen suru) - Worrying about a specific risk or problem, a more objective concern.
• 不安に思う (fuan ni omou) - Feeling anxious or insecure about a situation

案じる

Romaji: anjiru
Kana: あんじる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: be anxious; reflect

Meaning in English: to be anxious;to ponder

Definition: To be worried or concerned.

Example Sentences - (案じる) anjiru

See below some example sentences:

私は彼女の健康を案じています。

Watashi wa kanojo no kenkō o anjite imasu

I'm worried about her health.

I'm thinking about your health.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 彼女 (kanojo) - personal pronoun meaning "she"
• の (no) - Particle that indicates possession
• 健康 (kenkou) - noun that means "health"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 案じています (anzjiteimasu) - verb that means "to be worried" and is conjugated in the educated present continuous