Shows concern, anxiety, or sadness about something you care about. It’s softer than 😢—you’re uneasy or troubled, but still holding it together.
Your little sister says she might have failed her math test.
Don’t stress too much, you probably did better than you think 😟
Can also show empathy—like when you feel worried for someone rather than about yourself.
In Japanese chats, 😟 is often closer to quiet concern or hesitation, similar to “大丈夫かな…” (“I wonder if they’re okay…”). It feels caring, not gloomy.
Don’t confuse 😟 with 😕—this one implies emotional worry, not confusion or mild disappointment.
See what they share and how they differ to choose the right one.
Both are downturned mouths and concerned eyes. 😟 conveys worry or unease, a soft anxiety about something cared about. ☹️ reads as a heavier frown, conveying real sadness and frustration. The tone of ☹️ is more resigned and weighty than 😟. Emojis differ in intensity, with ☹️ showing clearer emotional decline rather than tentative concern.
Use 😟 worried face when you’re gently checking in about someone’s minor troubles or sharing your own anxious but manageable concerns—be empathetic and soft. Use ☹️ frowning face when you need to communicate real sadness or frustration—be direct and acknowledge the seriousness of the feeling.
Related emojis that share similar meanings or usage.
