危惧

• Reading: きぐ
• Romaji: kigu
• Kanji breakdown: 危 (ki) — danger, risk, precarious; 惧 (ku/gu) — fear, dread, apprehension
• Pronunciation: /ki.ɡɯ/

Meaning

Apprehension; misgiving; serious concern or anxiety about a potential negative outcome. Implies genuine dread about a future risk.

A formal noun used to express grave concern about a situation, often stronger and more consequential than 心配 (worry). Frequently collocates with 抱く (to harbour) and 感じる (to feel). Also appears as the する-verb 危惧する (to fear, to have misgivings about). Common in policy, environmental, and ethical discourse.

Examples

1. 環境破壊に対して多くの専門家が強い危惧を抱いている。 Many experts harbor serious apprehensions about environmental destruction.
2. 彼は新しい制度が悪用されるのではないかという危惧を示した。 He expressed misgivings that the new system might be exploited.
3. このまま進めば失敗するという危惧は、徐々に現実のものとなった。 The apprehension that things would fail if they continued on this path gradually became a reality.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, environment, formal writing

Tone: concerned

Origin & History

Compound of 危 (danger, risk) and 惧 (fear, dread). The combination emphasises a fear rooted in genuine awareness of danger rather than mere nervousness.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional/Academic