English–Japanese

“fear” in Japanese

Japanese

Also恐怖 (kyōfu)

Pronunciation

Romajiosore

Example

子どもには暗闇への恐れがあります。ko do mo ni wa kura yami e no oso re ga a ri ma su

The child has a fear of the dark.

Illustration for 恐れ (fear)

How to say “fear” in Japanese

“Fear” in Japanese is 恐れ (osore).

It presents something threatening as a source of inner unease or as a possible bad result, linking emotional fear with concern about what may happen.

Full entry for 恐れ: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 恐れ

私は失敗への恐れを乗り越えました。watashi wa ship pai e no oso re o no ri ko e ma shi ta

I overcame my fear of failure.

Tips for using 恐れ

  • In everyday Japanese, 恐れがある (osore ga aru) is a formal way to state a risk, so it often appears in announcements and warnings instead of casual conversation.

Other Japanese words for “fear”

私は暗い部屋で恐怖を感じました。watashi wa kura i heya de kyō fu o kan ji ma shi ta

I felt fear in a dark room.

“fear” in other languages