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I recently learned a sentence: 大家都和關心也很在意這件事

However, don't both 關心 and 在意 mean the same thing -- to care about? Is there a difference?

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It should be "大家都很關心也很在意這件事"

When two different words have a shared definition, they can be used interchangeably in some context. See my answer to this question: Are there any two chinese words which can be used interchangeably?

關 = relate; 心 = heart

關心 : to be concerned; to worry about; care about

~

在 = in/at/on; 意 = mind

在意 : take notice of; care about; take to heart

If they can be used interchangeably, then you can also use them concurrently, to make them reinforce each other as synonyms

Example:

"大家都很關心也很在意這件事" "Everyone cares about and take notice of this"

The subtle difference:

  • 關心子女安危 (concern about the safety of one's children) expresses a more serious manner than 在意子女安危 (care about the safety one's of children)

  • 我不在意浣熊在我後園出沒。 (I don't care about raccoons coming and going in my backyard.) expresses a more casual manner than 我不關心浣熊在我後園出沒。 (I am not concerned about raccoons coming and going in my backyard.)

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