怕

• Pinyin: pà
• Hanzi breakdown: 怕 = 忄(heart radical) + 白 (white, phonetic component)

Meaning

To be afraid of; to fear; to be scared of. Expresses fear or worry about something.

Used for both genuine fear and milder worry or concern. Can take a noun object (怕蛇 — afraid of snakes) or a clause (怕他不来 — worried he won't come). Also used in polite hedging, such as 我怕不行 (I'm afraid that won't work).

Examples

1. 我小时候很怕黑。 I was very afraid of the dark when I was little.
2. 她怕蛇，一看到就跑。 She is afraid of snakes and runs away as soon as she sees one.
3. 别怕，我在这里。 Don't be scared, I'm right here.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, emotions, warnings

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你怕什么？(What are you afraid of?)
• 不要怕犯错。(Don't be afraid of making mistakes.)

Don't Say

• 不要对害怕的人说'有什么好怕的' (Don't say 'what's there to be afraid of' to someone who is scared — it dismisses their feelings; say 别怕 or 没事 instead)

Origin & History

Composed of 忄(heart radical) and 白 (white, phonetic). Fear is associated with the heart, as it is an emotion felt deeply.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal