恐

Fear, Dread

おそれる (osoreru), おそろしい (osoroshii)

JLPT N3

Interesting Fact

恐 appears in both everyday and formal Japanese. 恐れる means 'to fear,' while the polite phrase 恐れ入ります literally means 'I am overwhelmed' and is often used to express gratitude or apology.

Memory Trick

Your heart (心) starts pounding because you're terrified. A fearful heart is the key to remembering 恐.

Readings

Onyomi: キョウ (kyou)

Kunyomi: おそれる (osoreru), おそろしい (osoroshii)

Example Words

恐れる

おそれる (osoreru)

To fear

恐ろしい

おそろしい (osoroshii)

Terrible, frightening

恐怖

きょうふ (kyoufu)

Fear, terror

恐縮

きょうしゅく (kyoushuku)

Feeling obliged, grateful

Example Sentence

彼は失敗を恐れません。

かれはしっぱいをおそれません。

kare wa shippai o osoremasen

He does not fear failure.

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