Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
恐惧(恐懼)kǒngjù(kong3ju4)
恐惧 (kǒng jù) refers to a strong emotional response of fear or dread, often associated with anxiety about potential threats or harm. It is commonly used in both everyday language and formal contexts, such as psychology, to describe a state of fear or phobia. The nuance of this term suggests a deep, sometimes overwhelming sense of fear rather than just a momentary fright.
Strokes21Frequency#1641DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 恐惧 can be linked to traditional beliefs in ghosts and spirits, which often evoke fear in folklore and stories. This connection highlights the importance of understanding fear within the context of cultural narratives.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'kong' (空) balloon that is too scared to pop (惧) because of the fear of making a loud noise. Visualize the balloon trembling in anticipation, which can help you remember both the sound and meaning of 恐惧.
Meanings of 恐惧
kǒngjù(kong3ju4)
1fear
2dread
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 恐惧 means.
About 恐惧
恐惧Simplified
恐懼Traditional
21Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#1641Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 恐惧
Podcast: 恐惧
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 恐惧
Quick Contrast
害怕 (hàipà) — use 恐惧 for a deeper, more overwhelming fear, while 害怕 conveys a more general or transient fear.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 恐惧 with other words for fear, such as 害怕 (hàipà), which is more casual. 恐惧 is more formal and can imply a deeper psychological state. Common collocations include '恐惧症' (kǒng jù zhèng) meaning phobia, and it's important to use the correct tone to convey the intensity of fear.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 恐惧 connects with other emotional vocabulary such as 快乐 (kuàilè - happiness) and 悲伤 (bēishāng - sadness). Students should focus on the emotional context in which this term is used and practice forming sentences that express various states of fear.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 恐惧 by confusing the tones, leading to misunderstandings. For example, saying 'kōng jù' can change the meaning entirely. Ensure to maintain the third and fourth tones correctly.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 恐惧
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 恐惧 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 恐惧 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 恐惧?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 恐惧 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.
恐惧 (kǒng jù) refers to a strong emotional response of fear or dread, often associated with anxiety about potential threats or harm. It is commonly used in both everyday language and formal contexts, such as psychology, to describe a state of fear or phobia. The nuance of this term suggests a deep, sometimes overwhelming sense of fear rather than just a momentary fright.
When to use 恐惧
Learners often confuse 恐惧 with other words for fear, such as 害怕 (hàipà), which is more casual. 恐惧 is more formal and can imply a deeper psychological state. Common collocations include '恐惧症' (kǒng jù zhèng) meaning phobia, and it's important to use the correct tone to convey the intensity of fear.
恐惧 or something close to it
害怕 (hàipà) — use 恐惧 for a deeper, more overwhelming fear, while 害怕 conveys a more general or transient fear.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 恐惧 by confusing the tones, leading to misunderstandings. For example, saying 'kōng jù' can change the meaning entirely. Ensure to maintain the third and fourth tones correctly.
Write 恐惧
恐
惧
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 恐惧 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 恐惧
恐惧 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
执行死刑的动机是要灌输____。
The motive of the executions would be to instil fear.
