Word Guide
How to pronounce 担心 (dān xīn)
担心 means "to worry". Use this guide to lock in the tone pattern, articulation target, and the mistake most learners still make.
Short answer
担心 is pronounced dān xīn and means "to worry". The key target is nasal final, with the tone pattern Tone 1 + Tone 1.
Why learners miss it
Learners often miss 担心 because the ending often shifts toward -ng, which muddies the word shape.
Self-test
Record 担心, then check whether your pitch contour and articulation match dān xīn.
Pinyin
dān xīn
Tone Pattern
Tone 1 + Tone 1
Pronunciation Focus
nasalFinal
How to say it
Guided fix
How to shape this pronunciation
What to do
Say dān slowly first, then keep the target sound steady as you move through the rest of 担心.
What to avoid
Do not let the whole word flatten into one rushed shape. Keep the target consonant or tone contrast clear.
What to listen for
The key sound should stay distinct instead of collapsing toward the nearest easy English habit.
Quick self-check
Say dān xīn once slowly and once at normal speed. If the target sound disappears when you speed up, it is not stable yet.
Phonetic Breakdown
d+an_x+in
Most common error
Error summary
The ending often shifts toward -ng, which muddies the word shape.
Focus area
NasalFinal
Difficulty
Easy
HSK Level
HSK2