Meaning
恐惧 describes a strong feeling of fear or terror, often in response to perceived danger or threat. It can be used both as a noun (the feeling of fear) and as a verb (to fear something). This word carries a more serious, intense connotation than casual words like 怕 (pà).
Usage
恐惧 is commonly used in formal writing, psychology, literature, and serious discussions about emotions. In everyday speech, people might prefer simpler words like 害怕 (hàipà) or 怕 (pà) for ordinary fears, reserving 恐惧 for deeper, more existential fears or phobias. It frequently appears in contexts discussing phobias, anxiety, or psychological states.
Examples
- 01他眼中充满了恐惧。.His eyes were filled with fear.
- 02我们必须克服对失败的恐惧。.We must overcome our fear of failure.
Characters
Common collocations
- 恐惧感sense of fear
- 感到恐惧to feel fear
- 充满恐惧filled with fear
- 克服恐惧to overcome fear
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters contain the heart radical (心), indicating emotional states. 恐 originally depicted a hand striking someone, causing fear. 惧 combines the heart radical with 具, suggesting a complete or overwhelming feeling of fear.