恐
fear, dread, awe
Readings
On'yomi
- キョウ
Kun'yomi
- おそ.れる
- おそ.る
- おそ.ろしい
- こわ.い
- こわ.がる
Meaning
恐 centers on a strong emotional reaction to something overwhelming: fear, dread, or awe. These feelings share a sense of being deeply affected by something powerful or threatening.
Most common words using 恐
20 of 121- 恐ろしいおそろしいN3
terrible; dreadful; terrifying; frightening
- 恐らくおそらくN3
probably; (most) likely; in all likelihood; I suspect; I dare say; I'm afraid
- 恐怖きょうふN3
fear; dread; dismay; terror; horror; scare; panic
- 恐れおそれN1
fear; horror; anxiety; concern; uneasiness; reverence
- 恐竜きょうりゅう
dinosaur
- 恐怖症きょうふしょう
phobia; morbid fear
- 恐縮きょうしゅくN2
feeling (much) obliged; being (very) grateful; being thankful
- 恐れるおそれるN3
to fear; to be afraid of
- 恐るおそる
to fear; to be afraid
- 恐喝きょうかつ
blackmail; extortion; threat (to extort money)
- 恐慌きょうこうN1
panic; scare; alarm
- 恐らくはおそらくは
probably; (most) likely; in all likelihood; I suspect; I dare say; I'm afraid
- 恐がりこわがり
coward; timid person
- 恐る恐るおそるおそるN1
fearfully; timidly; nervously; cautiously; gingerly
- 戦々恐々せんせんきょうきょう
trembling with fear; in great fear; filled with trepidation; nervously; timidly
- 末恐ろしいすえおそろしい
frightening (of the future); worrying; scary; ominous; portentous
- 恐れ入るおそれいるN1
to be sorry; to beg someone's pardon; to feel small
- 恐れ多いおそれおおい
awesome; awe-inspiring; august; gracious
- 恐るべきおそるべき
terrible; terrifying; dreadful; horrible; horrifying; appalling
- 恐妻きょうさい
submission to one's wife
Study
Etymology
恐 combines 巩 (likely phonetic, suggesting a sense of being struck or overwhelmed) with 心 (heart/mind), indicating a strong emotional state of fear or awe.
Meaning mnemonic
The top part 巩 looks like a heavy tool or a striking hand, and the bottom 心 is the heart. Imagine your heart being struck by something terrifying, filling you with fear and awe.
Reading mnemonic
For キョウ, picture a fearful person screaming 'KYO!' as they are overwhelmed by dread: KYO -> キョウ, and the heart 心 pounds in terror.