1.
to fear, to be afraid of
To feel fear towards something.
失敗を恐れる。
To fear failure.
何も恐れることはない。
There's nothing to be afraid of.
批判を恐れずに言う。
To speak without fearing criticism.
2.
to be worried about
To be concerned about a possible outcome.
遅刻を恐れて早く出た。
I left early, worried about being late.
台風の被害が恐れられている。
There are concerns about typhoon damage.
専門家は地震がさらに大きくなることを恐れている。
Experts are worried that the earthquake could grow even larger.
恐れる expresses deep or serious fear, often about consequences or abstract threats.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Takes を particle for the object of fear
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 〜を恐れる: to fear ~
- 〜を恐れずに: without fearing ~
- 恐れることはない: there's nothing to fear
- 〜を恐れて: fearing ~, because of fear of ~
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 怖い: scared, scary (more casual, immediate fear)
- 恐ろしい: frightening, terrifying (describes the source)
- 恐れ: fear (noun form)
USAGE:
Often used for abstract fears (failure, criticism, future). 怖い is more common for immediate, physical fears.