bothered

/ˈbɒð.əd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbɑː.ðɚd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbä-t͟hərd/ (ame, mw)

bothered — adjective

  • botheredpositive
  • more botheredcomparative
  • most botheredsuperlative

1. feeling worried or uneasy because something matters to you and stays on your min

1.形容詞B1
釋義

feeling worried or uneasy because something matters to you and stays on your mind

例句

Soraya looked bothered about the exam results all through lunch.

bothered about + noun phrase for a concern

Hao seemed bothered by the argument with his older brother.

bothered by + cause of emotional unease

同義詞
  • concerned

    More neutral and often more formal; it can sound less emotional than bothered

  • worried

    Stronger and more direct about anxiety, without the idea of how much the matter matters to you

  • uneasy

    More vague and less tied to a clearly named issue

反義詞
  • unconcerned

    Not worried because the matter does not feel important

  • calm

    Free from worry or emotional disturbance about the issue

文法句型

be bothered about [noun/gerund]

be bothered by [noun]

be bothered that [clause]

look/seem bothered

用法筆記

Often followed by 'about' when naming the issue and by a that-clause when naming the exact worry. Unlike sense 2, this sense shows real concern because the matter feels important to the speaker.

常見錯誤

❌I am bothering about the delay.
✅I am bothered about the delay.
💡After 'be,' use the adjective 'bothered,' not the verb form.
❌She was bothered for the test results.
✅She was bothered about the test results.
💡The usual preposition after this sense is 'about,' not 'for.'

2. not caring much about something, especially when saying that it does not matter

2.形容詞B1
釋義

not caring much about something, especially when saying that it does not matter to you

例句

Layla is not bothered about eating at the best restaurant in town.

not bothered about + thing that does not matter

Trang was not bothered if the meeting started ten minutes late.

not bothered if + clause for indifference

同義詞
  • unconcerned

    A little more formal and detached than not bothered

  • indifferent

    Stronger and cooler, often suggesting a lack of interest or feeling

  • easygoing

    Describes a person's general relaxed attitude, not just one situation

反義詞
  • concerned

    Shows that the matter feels important and creates worry

  • particular

    Means you care a lot about details and have clear preferences

文法句型

not be bothered about [noun/gerund]

not be bothered if [clause]

not be bothered by [minor problem]

be not bothered

用法筆記

This sense usually appears in negative statements such as 'not bothered about ...' or short replies like 'I'm not bothered.' It means something does not matter much to you, unlike sense 1, which shows concern.

常見錯誤

❌I am not bothered for where we sit.
✅I am not bothered about where we sit.
💡Use 'about' after this expression, not 'for.'
❌I'm not bothering.
✅I'm not bothered.
💡'Not bothering' usually means 'not making the effort,' not 'not minding.'