German word

Befürchtung

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈfʏɐ̯çtʊŋ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounconcern

Example

Ich habe die Befürchtung, dass das Meeting länger dauert.

I'm concerned that the meeting will run longer.

Illustration for Befürchtung (concern)

More examples

Die Kollegen teilten ihre Befürchtung bezüglich der neuen Regel.

The colleagues shared their concern about the new rule.

Core concept

A person looks ahead at a possible bad outcome, with that prospect weighing on the mind.

Common phrases

  • Befürchtung haben

    have a concern

  • Befürchtung teilen

    share a concern

  • unbegründete Befürchtung

    unfounded concern

Similar words

Sorge: Worry about a future event or a personal matter.
Angst: Strong fear and anxiety about imminent danger or a bad result.
Bedenken: Cautious concern about problems in a plan or proposal.
Furcht: Instinctive, intense fear in the face of a specific danger.

Definition in German

Befürchtung bezeichnet die Sorge oder Vermutung, dass etwas Negatives eintreten könnte.

Word origin

Befürchtung is formed from the verb befürchten with the noun suffix -ung; befürchten combines be- with inherited Germanic fürchten, related to English fear.

Usage tips

  • Befürchtung is feminine, and the feared content commonly follows in a dass-clause: die Befürchtung, dass etwas schiefgeht.

Other meanings

  • fearnoun
  • worrynoun
  • apprehensionnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word