About
The character 恐, meaning fear or dread, has maintained a consistent structural logic based on its etymology, combining the phonetic component 巩 (gǒng) above the radical 心 (xīn), meaning heart or mind. In its traditional form, this composition remains visually clear. The original sense conveyed by 巩 was one of binding or consolidating, suggesting that the character’s earliest conceptual meaning related to a state of being gripped or constrained by a nervous, apprehensive heart. Over time, its meaning broadened from this specific internal sensation to encompass the general concept of fear, while also extending to express the auxiliary verbal sense of apprehension or worry about a potential event, as in "I fear that ...". This semantic development illustrates a shift from depicting a physical or emotional state to also including a cognitive, anticipatory anxiety.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我恐怕不能来。
这部电影很恐怖。
这个孩子感到恐惧。
他恐怕已经回家了。
由于恐高，他不敢坐飞机。
恐龙在数百万年前灭绝了。
恐怖分子的威胁引起了全球恐慌。
政府采取行动以防止恐慌情绪蔓延。