French Conversation · Level 53
75 words
French word
crainte
Pronunciation
IPA/kʁɛ̃t/
Meaning
- feminine nounfear
Example
J'ai une crainte avant l'entretien.
I feel some fear before the interview.
More examples
Il a surmonté sa crainte de l'eau.
He overcame his fear of water.
Core concept
A shadow of a possible bad outcome hangs ahead, causing steady unease rather than sudden terror.
Common phrases
avoir la crainte de
have a fear of ___
sans crainte
without fear
éprouver de la crainte
feel fear
Similar words
peur: A strong feeling of fear caused by danger or a frightening event.
inquiétude: Worry and restlessness about what may happen.
souci: Concern about a minor problem or inconvenience.
anxiété: Persistent, intense anxiety that may affect daily life.
Definition in French
Sentiment vague et durable d'inquiétude ou de peur anticipée lié à un risque ou à une conséquence possible.
Word origin
Crainte is the feminine noun formed from craindre and inherited through Old French from Latin tremere, 'to tremble', with later French sound changes.
Usage tips
- Crainte is more restrained and formal than peur, while everyday speech often uses avoir peur or s'inquiéter.