Understanding "顾虑" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 顾虑
• Pinyin: gùlǜ
• Literal Meaning: “to look back / attend to” + “to worry / consider carefully”
• Primary Meaning: misgivings; concerns or worries that make someone hesitate before acting

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 顾虑 describes a mental reservation: you see a possible downside and hold back. It is more specific than general “worry” (担心). 担心 can be about anything that might go wrong; 顾虑 usually means hesitation caused by weighing consequences—reputation, relationships, risk, or what others might think. It often appears with verbs and patterns such as 有顾虑 (to have misgivings), 消除顾虑 (to remove someone’s concerns), 顾虑重重 (to be full of reservations), and 毫无顾虑 (without any hesitation). The tone is neutral to slightly formal and is common in speech, advice, news, and workplace or family discussions. It is not usually used for a sudden fright or a purely emotional panic.
• Character Breakdown: 顾 (gù) means to look back at, attend to, or take into account. 虑 (lǜ) means to think something over with care, often with an anxious edge. Together they suggest “looking back at possible problems and worrying about them,” which is why the word centers on cautious hesitation rather than simple fear.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 他有很多顾虑，所以一直没有做决定。
• Pinyin: Tā yǒu hěn duō gùlǜ, suǒyǐ yìzhí méiyǒu zuò juédìng.

• English: He has a lot of misgivings, so he still has not made a decision.

• Chinese: 请不要有任何顾虑，有问题就直接说。

• Pinyin: Qǐng búyào yǒu rènhé gùlǜ, yǒu wèntí jiù zhíjiē shuō.

• English: Please do not have any reservations; if you have a question, just say it directly.

• Chinese: 她顾虑重重，不敢接受那份新工作。

• Pinyin: Tā gùlǜ chóngchóng, bù gǎn jiēshòu nà fèn xīn gōngzuò.
• English: She was full of concerns and did not dare accept that new job.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

In Chinese social life, people often weigh how a choice will affect family, colleagues, or “face” (面子) before they act. 顾虑 captures that pause: not cowardice, but careful attention to consequences and relationships. Phrases like 消除顾虑 are common when a leader, parent, or friend tries to reassure someone so they can move forward. 毫无顾虑, by contrast, praises (or sometimes criticizes) someone who acts without holding back.

Conclusion

Remember 顾虑 (gùlǜ) as “misgivings that hold you back.” It is the worry you feel while weighing consequences, not just any kind of fear. If someone 有顾虑, they are hesitating; if you 消除顾虑, you help them feel safe enough to decide.

Sources and Further Reading

• MDBG Chinese Dictionary: 顾虑
• Wiktionary: 顾虑
• HSK vocabulary reference dataset

Dictionary links are provided for independent reference. Example sentences and learning notes on this page are educational explanations rather than dictionary quotations.