1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “恐” (pronounced “kyou” or “osoreru”) means “fear” or “to be afraid.” It conveys a sense of anxiety or apprehension about something that may happen.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “恐” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical “忄” (which relates to emotions) with the phonetic component “恐,” which suggests the sound and meaning associated with fear.
The radical “忄” is a variant of “心” (heart), indicating that the character is related to feelings and emotions.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “恐” are:
- 恐怖 (きょうふ, kyoufu) – terror, horror
- 恐れ (おそれ, osore) – fear, dread
Example sentences in daily conversation:
- 彼は高いところが恐いです。 (かれはたかいところがこわいです。) – He is afraid of heights.
- その映画はとても恐怖でした。 (そのえいがはとてもきょうふでした。) – That movie was very scary.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 怖 (こわい, kowai) – scary, frightening (more casual and often used in everyday contexts)
Antonyms include:
- 勇 (ゆう, yuu) – courage, bravery
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “恐” is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, often associated with traditional beliefs and superstitions. It appears in various proverbs and idiomatic expressions.
For example, the saying “恐れ入ります” (おそれいります, osore irimasu) is a polite expression used to show humility or to apologize for causing inconvenience.