Learn Chinese Characters

Meaning

afraid; frightened; to fear

Chinese: 害怕。

Hear the Four Tones

The same syllable “kong” becomes a different word in each tone. 恐 is the 3rd tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.

Stroke Order

Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.

Common Words

  • 恐怕kǒng pàfear; to dread; I'm afraid that...; perhaps
  • 恐怖kǒng bùterrible; frightful; frightening; terror
  • 恐惧kǒng jùto be frightened; fear; dread
  • 恐吓kǒng hèto threaten; to menace
  • 争先恐后zhēng xiān kǒng hòu(idiom) to compete to be first; to scramble to get ahead; to rush forward for fear of falling behind

Example Sentence

我恐怕赶不上这趟火车了。Wǒ kǒng pà gǎn bu shàng zhè tàng huǒ chē le.I am afraid I will not catch this train.

I恐怕kǒng pàfear赶不上gǎn bu shàngcan't keep up withzhèthistàngto wade火车huǒ chētrainle(completed action)