1.
trembling with fear; filled with dread; anxiously
Describes a state of extreme nervousness or fear, often about something that might happen. Used with としている or とする.
社員たちは戦々恐々としていた。
The employees were trembling with fear.
結果発表を前に、戦々恐々とした気持ちだった。
I was filled with dread before the results were announced.
大きなミスが見つかり、上司に報告するのに戦々恐々としている。
A major mistake was discovered, and I'm dreading having to report it to my boss.
A four-character compound (四字熟語) that doubles 戦 (tremble) and 恐 (fear) for emphasis. Originally from classical Chinese. Almost always used with the pattern ～としている or ～とする.
USAGE:
The word describes anxious dread about a situation, often one where negative consequences are anticipated. It conveys a stronger sense of fear than simple nervousness.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 戦々恐々としている — to be trembling with fear
- 戦々恐々とした面持ち — a face filled with dread
- 戦々恐々の日々 — days of dread
SIMILAR WORDS:
- びくびく — nervously, timidly (more colloquial)
- おどおど — timidly, fearfully (visible behavioral timidity)
- 恐る恐る — fearfully, gingerly (cautious action despite fear)