What is the Kanji for 'Fear'? | 恐

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Fear', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Fear' is 恐.

kanji

恐

Meaning

Fear

Reading

kunyomiおそ

oso

こわ

kowa

onyomiきょう

kyou

Parts

工Construction 心Heart 凡Common

Example Word

恐れ: fear. The Japanese noun '恐れ (おそれ)' means 'fear' or 'anxiety'. It refers to a feeling of being afraid or worried about something that might happen. This word is often used in formal or serious contexts, such as expressing concern about potential negative outcomes. For example: There is a fear of rain tomorrow「明日は雨の恐れがある」(あしたはあめのおそれがある). I fear that he might not come「彼が来ない恐れがある」(かれがこないおそれがある). It can also be used to describe a sense of reverence or awe, particularly in contexts involving nature or the divine, though this usage is less common in modern Japanese.

Radical

心

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

281

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 恐

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 3 parts:

kanji

工

Meaning

Construction

kanji

心

Meaning

Heart

kanji

凡

Meaning

Common

Words Using 恐

This kanji is used in 5 words:

word

恐らく

Meaning

Probably

word

恐れる

Meaning

Fear

word

恐ろしい

Meaning

Terrifying

word

恐怖

Meaning

Fear

word

恐れ

Meaning

Fear

Kanji Related to 恐 Through the Part 工

These 12 kanji contain the part 工 as well.

kanji

左

Meaning

Left

kanji

空

Meaning

Sky, Empty

kanji

功

Meaning

Merit, Achievement

kanji

式

Meaning

Style, Ceremony

kanji

江

Meaning

Creek, Inlet

kanji

項

Meaning

Clause, Paragraph

kanji

攻

Meaning

Attack, Aggression

kanji

貢

Meaning

Tribute

kanji

尋

Meaning

Inquire

kanji

紅

Meaning

Crimson

kanji

巧

Meaning

Skill, Adept

kanji

虹

Meaning

Rainbow

Kanji Related to 恐 Through the Part 心

These 43 kanji contain the part 心 as well.

kanji

思

Meaning

Think

kanji

悪

Meaning

Evil

kanji

忘

Meaning

Forget

kanji

急

Meaning

Urgent

kanji

窓

Meaning

Window

kanji

意

Meaning

Idea

kanji

想

Meaning

Concept

kanji

怒

Meaning

Anger, Angry

kanji

悲

Meaning

Sad

kanji

必

Meaning

Inevitable, Certain

kanji

態

Meaning

Appearance, Condition

kanji

感

Meaning

Feeling, Sensation

kanji

聴

Meaning

Listen

kanji

懸

Meaning

Suspend

kanji

徳

Meaning

Virtue

kanji

志

Meaning

Intention

kanji

忠

Meaning

Loyalty

kanji

恩

Meaning

Grace, Kindness

kanji

憲

Meaning

Constitution

kanji

息

Meaning

Breath

kanji

応

Meaning

Answer, Respond

kanji

念

Meaning

Thought

kanji

愛

Meaning

Love

kanji

恋

Meaning

Love, Romance

kanji

惑

Meaning

Beguile, Bewildered

kanji

恵

Meaning

Favor, Bestow a favor

kanji

恥

Meaning

Ashamed, Shame

kanji

患

Meaning

Ill, Afflicted

kanji

憩

Meaning

Rest

kanji

忍

Meaning

Endure, Stealth

kanji

怠

Meaning

Lazy, Neglect

kanji

愚

Meaning

Foolish

kanji

慈

Meaning

Affection, Mercy

kanji

忌

Meaning

Abhor, Mourning

kanji

愁

Meaning

Distress, Melancholy

kanji

悠

Meaning

Remote, Leisurely

kanji

慰

Meaning

Console, Consolation

kanji

懲

Meaning

Chastise, Learn by mistakes

kanji

懇

Meaning

Cordial, Courteous

kanji

慶

Meaning

Congratulate, Congratulations

kanji

芯

Meaning

Wick

kanji

恣

Meaning

Selfish, Arbitrary

kanji

怨

Meaning

Grudge

Kanji Related to 恐 Through the Part 凡

These 3 kanji contain the part 凡 as well.

kanji

風

Meaning

Wind, Style

kanji

帆

Meaning

Sail

kanji

汎

Meaning

Pan

Learn the Kanji 恐

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 恐 mean?

恐 means 'Fear'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.