Inquiétudes

Inquiétudes is the plural noun form in French of inquiétude, meaning worry, concern, or unease about something that might happen. It conveys a state of apprehension regarding future events, potential risks, or undesirable outcomes. The singular is inquiétude; the related verb inquiéter means to worry or to cause concern. The term derives from Old French inquietude, itself from Latin inquietus, meaning unsettled or restless.

In everyday language, people talk of des inquiétudes or mes inquiétudes concernant… to express specific concerns about health, safety, finances, or policy. In journalism and public discourse, phrases like inquiétudes économiques or inquiétudes sociales describe waves of uncertainty about trends or decisions. In literature and film, the word frequently signals mood or foreshadowing and may reflect a character’s inner life or moral tension.

While related to anxiety, inquiétude is not a clinical term. It typically denotes temporary or situational worry rather than a chronic disorder. In clinical contexts, more technical terms such as anxiété or trouble anxieux are used to describe clinically significant anxiety. The concept also has cognates in other Romance languages, such as Spanish inquietud or Italian inquietudine, which carry similar meanings.