Meanings of 生怕
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Podcast: 生怕
Podcast: 生怕
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AI study notes for 生怕
害怕 (hàipà) — use 生怕 when emphasizing extreme nervousness or anxiety about a potential outcome, while 害怕 indicates general fear without the same intensity.
生怕 is often used in informal contexts to express worry. A common mistake is to use it in overly formal situations, where simpler expressions might be more appropriate. Be careful with tone; the first tone in 生 should be pronounced clearly to avoid confusion with similar words.
Although 生怕 is not a formal HSK word, it incorporates basic characters from earlier levels. Focus on recognizing 生 and 怕 separately, as understanding them will help in grasping their meanings in various contexts.
Learners often confuse 生怕 with just 怕, using it too loosely. For example, saying '我怕我迟到' (I fear I will be late) is correct, but saying '我生怕我迟到' can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.
Pronunciation of 生怕
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Learning Lab
Knowing 生怕 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Component characters
How to say to fear in Chinese
“to fear” in Chinese is生怕
生怕 (shēngpà) means 'to fear' or 'to be extremely nervous about something'. It is often used to express a deep concern that something bad may happen, typically in contexts where one wants to avoid a negative outcome. This phrase conveys a sense of anxiety and apprehension.
When to use 生怕
生怕 is often used in informal contexts to express worry. A common mistake is to use it in overly formal situations, where simpler expressions might be more appropriate. Be careful with tone; the first tone in 生 should be pronounced clearly to avoid confusion with similar words.
生怕 or something close to it
害怕 (hàipà) — use 生怕 when emphasizing extreme nervousness or anxiety about a potential outcome, while 害怕 indicates general fear without the same intensity.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 生怕 with just 怕, using it too loosely. For example, saying '我怕我迟到' (I fear I will be late) is correct, but saying '我生怕我迟到' can sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.
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Frequently asked questions about 生怕
Use 生怕 when you want to express a strong fear of a potential negative outcome.
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