心配をかける
cause worry
Literalmente: to hang/suspend worry (on someone)
Use this to acknowledge and apologize for the emotional stress your situation caused to people who care.
En 15 segundos
- Used to apologize for making someone feel anxious about you.
- Combines 'shinpai' (worry) with 'kakeru' (to hang/apply).
- Essential for maintaining harmony after a mistake or illness.
Significado
This phrase is used when you realize your actions or situation caused someone else to feel anxious or stressed. It’s a polite way to acknowledge the emotional energy they spent worrying about you.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Texting a friend after being silent for days
返信が遅れて、心配をかけてごめん！
Sorry for making you worry by replying late!
Returning to the office after a week of flu
先週はお休みをいただき、ご心配をおかけしました。
I am sorry for causing you worry by taking last week off.
A teenager coming home past curfew
お母さん、心配かけてごめんなさい。
Mom, I'm sorry for making you worry.
Contexto cultural
This phrase is deeply rooted in the Japanese concept of 'Omoiyari' (altruistic sensitivity). It reflects a society where one's well-being is viewed as a collective concern, making an apology for 'causing worry' a standard social lubricant to restore group harmony.
The 'Kakeru' Logic
Think of 'kakeru' as 'applying' something. You are applying your stress onto their heart. It helps you remember the verb!
Don't overdo it
If you say this for every tiny thing, people might think you are being overly dramatic or 'heroic' about your own problems.
En 15 segundos
- Used to apologize for making someone feel anxious about you.
- Combines 'shinpai' (worry) with 'kakeru' (to hang/apply).
- Essential for maintaining harmony after a mistake or illness.
What It Means
Think of worry as a heavy blanket. When you say shinpai o kakeru, you are saying you accidentally threw that blanket over someone else. It means "to cause worry." It is not just about the worry itself. It is about the fact that *you* caused it. In Japan, people are very sensitive to how they affect others. This phrase is the perfect tool for that. It shows you know they care. It shows you are not selfish. It is a very warm, empathetic expression.
How To Use It
You will almost always use this with an apology. You might say shinpai o kakete gomen. This means "Sorry for making you worry." You can also use it in the past tense. shinpai o kakemashita is the standard polite version. If you want to be extra humble, use okake shimashita. You are basically saying, "I know I was a burden, and I'm sorry." It is a very common way to reconnect after a problem. It smooths over the tension immediately.
When To Use It
Use it when you finally text your mom back. She probably thought you were in a ditch. Use it when you return to work after being sick. Your coworkers had to cover your shifts. Use it if you got lost and everyone had to wait. It is great for personal relationships. It is also great for business when a project goes wrong. Even if it wasn't your fault, using this phrase shows maturity. It says you value their peace of mind.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for tiny, trivial things. If you are 2 minutes late for coffee, it's too heavy. Just say osoku natte gomen. Don't use it with people you don't know well. If a random stranger looks worried, this phrase is too intimate. It implies a close bond. Also, avoid it if the worry was intentional. If you are trying to make an ex-partner jealous, this phrase won't help! It is for genuine, accidental stress you caused others.
Cultural Background
Japan has a concept called meiwaku. This means being a nuisance or a bother. Making someone worry is considered a major meiwaku. Japanese culture values the "wa" or harmony of the group. If you are causing worry, you are breaking that harmony. By saying shinpai o kakeru, you are fixing the crack. You are acknowledging the invisible emotional labor others do for you. It is a sign of a socially aware adult. It shows you are not living in a bubble.
Common Variations
The most common casual version is shinpai sasete gomen. This uses the causative form "made you worry." In business, you will hear shinpai o okake shimashita. The o at the beginning makes it very respectful. You might also hear shinpai bakari kakete. This means "I'm always causing you worry." This is common between children and parents. It is a bit self-deprecating and sweet. Use these to match the vibe of your conversation.
Notas de uso
The phrase is highly versatile. Just remember to adjust the ending (gomen/sumimasen/moushiwake gozaimasen) to match the person you are talking to.
The 'Kakeru' Logic
Think of 'kakeru' as 'applying' something. You are applying your stress onto their heart. It helps you remember the verb!
Don't overdo it
If you say this for every tiny thing, people might think you are being overly dramatic or 'heroic' about your own problems.
The Silent Worry
In Japan, people often won't tell you they are worried. Using this phrase shows you are perceptive enough to realize it without being told.
Ejemplos
6返信が遅れて、心配をかけてごめん！
Sorry for making you worry by replying late!
A very common casual way to apologize to friends.
先週はお休みをいただき、ご心配をおかけしました。
I am sorry for causing you worry by taking last week off.
Uses the humble 'o' prefix for a professional setting.
お母さん、心配かけてごめんなさい。
Mom, I'm sorry for making you worry.
Sincere and direct for family situations.
無事です。心配をかけてすみませんでした。
I'm safe. Sorry for causing you worry.
Reassures the listener while acknowledging their stress.
この犬はいつも飼い主に心配をかけるんだから！
This dog is always making its owner worry!
Using the phrase to talk about a third party (the dog).
君に心配をかけるようなことはもうしないよ。
I won't do anything to make you worry like that again.
A promise to be more careful in the future.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct verb form to complete the apology to your boss.
ご___をおかけして、申し訳ございません。
The phrase is 'shinpai o kakeru'. 'Anshin' means relief and 'Shinsetsu' means kindness, which don't fit the 'kakeru' apology pattern.
Make the phrase casual for a close friend.
心配___ごめんね！
The 'te-form' (kakete) is used to connect the action to the apology 'gomen' in casual speech.
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Ayudas visuales
Formality Levels of 'Causing Worry'
Friends/Family
shinpai kakete gomen
Acaintances/Daily life
shinpai o kakete sumimasen
Business/Superiors
go-shinpai o okake shimashita
Official apologies
go-shinpai o okake itashi moushiwake gozaimasen
When to say 'Shinpai o Kakeru'
Recovering from illness
Back at work
Missing phone calls
Returning a text
Being late home
Talking to spouse
Work mistakes
Emailing a client
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasshinpai suru means 'to worry' (you are the one worrying). shinpai o kakeru means 'to cause worry' (you are making someone else worry).
Yes! Even if you were just sick, which isn't your 'fault,' you still caused them emotional labor. It's polite to acknowledge it.
Almost. shinpai saseru is the causative form ('to make someone worry'). It is slightly more direct and common in very casual speech like shinpai sasete gomen.
Use the phrase go-shinpai o okake shimashita. Adding the go- and using shimashita instead of kakemashita makes it very professional.
You can say it *about* your pet to others, like inu ga shinpai o kakeru (the dog causes worry), but saying it *to* your dog might be a bit silly!
Yes, it is very appropriate. If you missed class or did poorly on a test, saying shinpai o kakete sumimasen shows you respect their concern for your education.
They might say zenzen daijoubu da yo (It's totally fine). Even if they weren't, the fact that you apologized makes you look thoughtful.
Yes, it works for any kind of anxiety, whether it is about health, safety, or money.
It is perfectly neutral. Everyone in Japan uses it regardless of gender.
Forgetting the particle o. While it is sometimes dropped in fast speech, saying shinpai kakeru sounds a bit incomplete in semi-formal settings.
Yes. You can say shinpai o kakete imasu ga... (I am currently causing you worry, but...), often used when giving an update on a bad situation.
No, as long as you pair it with an apology. It sounds like you are being humble and aware of your impact on the community.
Frases relacionadas
心配しないで (shinpai shinaide) - Don't worry
迷惑をかける (meiwaku o kakeru) - To cause a nuisance
安心させる (anshin saseru) - To set someone's mind at ease
手間をかける (tema o kakeru) - To cause someone trouble/extra work
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