How do I say 'I'm worried'?

Chinese worry vocabulary splits by the object of concern:

• 担心 — worry about a situation. The object is usually an event or condition. 担心考试, 担心工作, 担心天气. This is the broadest worry word.
• 怕 + clause — fear that something specific will happen. 我怕他会迟到 = I’m worried he’ll be late (I fear a specific outcome). This is more outcome-focused than 担心.
• 不放心 — can’t let go of concern. Usually about a person or responsibility. A parent says 我不放心孩子一个人在家 (I don’t feel comfortable leaving the child home alone). It describes the inability to stop being concerned.

有点 before 担心 is the standard softening — same pattern as 有点紧张, 有点失望, 有点害怕. Dropping it (我很担心) makes the worry sound more serious. The choice between 有点担心 and 很担心 reflects the actual severity, not just politeness.

When someone is worried and you want to comfort them: 别担心 (don’t worry) is the standard reassurance. 没事的 (it’ll be fine) is warmer and more casual.