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恐怕

HSK 4
  • Modal verbs

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

恐怕Clause (guess/worry)

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

恐怕 is used to express conjecture or worry about an undesirable situation, equivalent to "I'm afraid that," "I fear that."

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

The adverb 恐怕 is used to express a conjecture, typically about something unfavorable or undesirable. It carries a polite, gentle tone, similar to expressions such as "I'm afraid" or "I fear that" in English.

In addition, 恐怕 can be used to decline something tactfully or to deliver unwelcome news, softening the directness of the statement.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 恐怕要下雨了。
    Kǒngpà yào xià yǔ le.

    I'm afraid it's going to rain soon.

  2. 恐怕我不能帮你。
    繁: 恐怕我不能幫你。Kǒngpà wǒ bù néng bāng nǐ.

    I'm afraid I can't help you.

  3. 这次考试恐怕他考得不好。
    繁: 這次考試恐怕他考得不好。Zhè cì kǎoshì kǒngpà tā kǎo de bù hǎo.

    I'm afraid he didn't do well on this exam.

  4. 恐怕我们得迟到了。
    繁: 恐怕我們得遲到了。Kǒngpà wǒmen děi chídào le.

    I'm afraid we'll be late.

  5. 恐怕这个任务完不成。
    繁: 恐怕這個任務完不成。Kǒngpà zhège rènwu wán bu chéng.

    I'm afraid this task cannot be completed.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong:我恐怕狗。
    Correct:我怕狗。

    恐怕 is used for speculation, not to directly express fear. To say "fear" something, use 怕.

  • Wrong:他生病了恐怕。
    Correct:恐怕他生病了。

    恐怕 is an adverb that usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause to express a conjecture about the entire situation.