The German word for worry, concern, or care is die Sorge.
You’ll hear it in daily conversation, news headlines, parenting, and mental health discussions. Whether it’s one specific issue or a general unease, Sorge in German is the word people use when something’s weighing on their mind.

It’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German (and you can download a free illustrated PDF to master them all), and a word every learner will find both useful and emotionally meaningful.

Gender and Pronunciation

It’s a feminine noun: die Sorge.
Want to learn how gender works without memorizing a hundred rules? This video lesson shows you how to spot helpful patterns fast.

Pronunciation:
Sorge is pronounced [ZOR-guh]

• “ZOR” rhymes with “more”

• “guh” like the end of “yoga”
  Two syllables: ZOR-guh

Example sentences

Ich mache mir Sorgen um dich.

I’m worried about you.

Ihre größte Sorge ist die Gesundheit ihrer Mutter.

Her biggest concern is her mother’s health.

Du musst dir keine Sorgen machen.

You don’t need to worry.

Nuance and usage tips

😟 Sorge means worry or concern in an emotional sense, especially when used in the plural—Sorgen. The common phrase sich Sorgen machen literally means “to make worries,” i.e., to worry.

👩‍👧 It also appears in phrases like für jemanden sorgen (to take care of someone) and Sorgerecht (custody rights), showing that it’s also connected to care and responsibility.

📢 In public discourse or news, you’ll hear it in phrases like große Sorgen über Inflation or Sorge um die Sicherheit—a way of expressing widespread concern.

How does this word come up in real conversations?

"Ich hab echt Sorgen wegen der Miete."

I’m seriously worried about the rent.

"Keine Sorge – ich ruf dich an, sobald ich da bin."

Don’t worry—I’ll call you as soon as I’m there.

"Er trägt viel Verantwortung und auch viele Sorgen."

He carries a lot of responsibility—and a lot of worries.

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Lena: Du siehst nachdenklich aus. Alles okay?
Marek: Ich hab nur ein paar Sorgen wegen der Arbeit.
Lena: Willst du drüber reden?
Marek: Vielleicht später. Danke, dass du fragst.

Translation:
Lena: You look thoughtful. Everything okay?
Marek: I just have a few worries about work.
Lena: Want to talk about it?
Marek: Maybe later. Thanks for asking.

Grammatical case examples

Nominative:
Die Sorge ist berechtigt.

The concern is justified.

Accusative:
Ich habe eine große Sorge.

I have a major worry.

Dative:
Mit der Sorge wird sie nicht allein gelassen.

She’s not left alone with that worry.

Genitive:
Die Ursache der Sorge ist noch unklar.

The cause of the concern is still unclear.

Other ways to say worry or concern in German

While Sorge is the default word for worry or concern in German, other terms can provide more nuance. Angst refers more to fear, especially in a psychological or anxious sense. Bedenken means doubts or reservations and is often used when someone is unsure about a decision. Unruhe refers to restlessness or inner agitation. Still, Sorge is the most flexible and relatable term, used in both casual and formal speech to describe anything from personal stress to political tension.

Word variations and tidbits

Sorge shows up in many compound words: Sorgenkind (child causing concern), Sorgenfrei (carefree), Sorgfalt (care, diligence), and Vorsorge (prevention or precaution, especially medical). You’ll also hear idiomatic expressions like jemandem Sorgen bereiten (to cause someone worry), sich Sorgen machen um... (to worry about), and gute/schlechte Sorge (good or poor care). The word strikes a balance between emotional and practical meanings.

🧠 Fun fact: The root of Sorge goes back to Old High German sorga, which meant grief or pain—but today, it’s just as much about care as it is about worry. That duality still lives in phrases like für jemanden sorgen (to care for someone lovingly).

📘 Duden entry for Sorge
🎥 Want to stop worrying about vocabulary gaps? Our free video course teaches the top 1000 German nouns—with real-life examples, explanations, and a printable PDF to keep your studies stress-free.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Do you know what Spiel means? It’s how we sometimes escape our Sorgen.
And what about Sommer? Because no season makes you forget your worries like that one.