恐おそれ多おおい

お

そ

れ

お

い

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

i-adjective

awesome; awe-inspiring; august

Expresses deep respect or reverence for someone or something of great status, often implying that one feels unworthy or overwhelmed. Used in formal or literary contexts.

天皇てんのう陛へい下かにお会あいできるとは、恐おそれ多おおいことです。
It is an awe-inspiring honor to be able to meet His Majesty the Emperor.

そのような恐おそれ多おおいお言こと葉ばをいただき、光こう栄えいに存ぞんじます。

I am honored to receive such gracious words from you.

2

i-adjective

presumptuous; discourteous (to a superior); lacking due respect

Used to apologize or express humility when one's actions or words might seem disrespectful toward a superior or someone of higher status. Often appears in set phrases like 恐れ多いですが or 恐れ多いことながら.

恐おそれ多おおいですが、一ひと言こと申もうし上あげてもよろしいでしょうか。
I hope it is not too presumptuous of me, but may I say a word?
恐おそれ多おおいことながら、私わたくしからご説せつ明めいさせていただきます。
With all due respect, please allow me to explain.

Written forms

恐おそれ多おおいUsage45%
Standard kanji spelling using 恐 (fear/awe).
畏おそれ多おおいUsage52%
Variant using 畏 (awe/reverence); often seen in formal contexts.
おそれおおいUsage4%
おそれ多おおい
Kana-kanji mixed spelling; less common but readable.

Kanji

恐fear, dread, awe
多many, frequent, much
畏fear, majestic, graciously

Similar words

恐きょう縮しゅく
恐縮 is a noun/suru-verb expressing a feeling of being sorry or obliged, often used in apologies or thanks. 恐れ多い is an adjective that focuses more on the sense of awe or presumption toward a superior.
畏い敬けい
畏敬 is a noun meaning 'reverence' or 'awe', often used in compounds like 畏敬の念. 恐れ多い is an adjective describing the feeling of being overwhelmed by such reverence.

Etymology

Compound of 恐れ (fear/awe, nominal form of 恐れる) + 多い (many, much). Literally 'much awe', it developed into an adjective expressing overwhelming reverence or the feeling of being presumptuous.